Matthew 6:1-4
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.
“When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
There is a wonderful episode of “The Andy Griffith Show”, titled “Opie’s Charity”. It comes to Andy’s attention that his son, Opie, only gave three cents to the local charity drive. Andy knows that Opie has more than $2 in his piggy bank. Andy questions his son about this “donation” and learns that Opie is saving his money to buy a gift for his girlfriend, Charlotte. Andy is livid, and he shames Opie for this…but Opie sticks to his guns. Andy’s disappointment with his son is clearly evident. He makes a big deal out of how selfishly Opie is behaving.
It is later revealed that Opie’s “gift” to Charlotte is to be a new warm coat. Charlotte’s wrap is worn and no longer effective against the elements of winter, and her mother cannot afford to buy her a new one. Of course, Andy is humiliated at how he judged Opie. He announces that rather than eat Aunt Bea’s fried chicken for dinner – he will be “eating crow”!
We can learn a lot from Andy Griffith – and in particular, from Opie’s actions in this episode. Despite Andy’s continual berating and attempts to shame him into breaking into his bank for a larger donation, Opie stands his ground…but he does not elaborate. In fact, he reveals his true intentions quite by accident…and certainly with no bravado. This young child does not appear to be the least bit concerned with what others think of him…positively OR negatively. He simply portends to do something kind and loving for someone in need – and no explanation appears to be necessary.
Scripture is clear in more than one passage that we are not to brag about our service to others – or our good deeds in general. We are not to make a show of our faith by offering flowery prayers intended to impress, rather than to genuinely communicate with and petition God. We are not to advertise how often we attend worship services, Bible studies, and other spiritual gatherings. There is a fine line between saying, “I gave to XYZ” in an effort to encourage others to give also, and doing so to say, “Look how generous I am!”
I would suggest that we err on the side of caution with this. If others are giving because you and I gave, they are not giving with pure intentions. If they attend worship events because they know that you or I will be there, their attendance has a least a little more to do with who they will see and by whom they will be seen than with honoring God. I realize that there may be positive byproduct of these actions…but God is concerned with our heart and our motives – not necessarily the physical outcome.
In essence, I call this the “if you build it, they will come” mentality. If what is being said and done is pure, sincere, and holy in intent, others will take notice. No fanfare or attempt to draw attention will be necessary…they will be inspired to serve God out of a desire to honor Him, not men. They will want to give their time, talents, and money to God – and causes that serve Him – because they wish to worship Him in this manner…not because someone else made a show of his/her service/gifts.
I know dozens of “unsung servants” who are busy night and day giving back to God by serving others, donating to charities and causes, sacrificing their time and energy to help wherever needed, and more. There are countless prayer warriors who may be unable to physically do things that others might readily recognize…but their prayers are making immeasurable difference in the lives of many – and in God’s Kingdom at large. I know men, women, and children who serve God with their whole heart to the best of their ability without recognition or concern for what others think – one way or the other.
Jesus has charged us to love God with our heart, mind and soul. He has tasked us with loving others as He loves us…and treating others as we wish to be treated. If we are busy serving Him to the best of our ability and as He commands, we won’t have time – or the inclination – to worry about how others see us. It will become a non-issue. If we feel we have to puff out our chests and draw attention to our Christian service and discipleship, we have totally missed the message and missive of Jesus Christ.
We can learn a lot from the example of a little boy who only gave three cents to the more visible charity – and offered only as much explanation as he felt was necessary for his actions. Our “accounting” is with God Almighty – not human beings…and how we react and respond says a lot about our Christian discipleship. To whom are you “making your show”?
©2019 Debbie Robus
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