There are many things that we do, as believers and not yet believers, that must break the heart of God as he looks over the earth seeking those who are completely committed to Him.  One of those heartbreaking behaviors is “acting as it” we know it all as do only what it takes to look good in front of others but wouldn’t lift a finger unless we have an audience.  I have known people on the job who only smile, get up from their chair to do the work with you, when they hear the boss come walking down the hall.  They “act as it” they have been doing it all along and boast of all they have done with how hard it was to do it!  When the boss leaves, they return to their complaining perch while you finish the tasks assigned.  Sigh.

I have known people who do good but must have a photo of themselves doing good in order to get the applause of those they so desperately want to impress.  Sigh.

I will never forget a profound experience I had as a new first grade teacher.  I was asked by my church family, who I thought could use some help at Christmas—the “needy family” we could help as a project.  At first, I didn’t feel comfortable with the words they used, but I did know a family who could use the help. I loved this family and I loved teaching their little boy who was such a great helper to me in our first grade classroom.  He was always quietly eager to help, not like the other kids who shouted, “I want to help” until I told them what the task involved.  Daniel would humbly do whatever I asked him to do—without complaining!  He was rare kid and I loved his beautiful attitude.  I knew of some his circumstances at home and I did want to help.

However, before giving the name of this family to the church, I first asked the mom if we could help because I highly respected Daniel’s family.  It was a few days before Christmas when churches and other benevolent organizations pick the “needy” to help because, well, it’s Christmas!  They may have good intentions at first but then these good intentions turn into public photo shoots to display their “goodness.”  Sigh. 

This is why I approached the family first.  I found out they had been burned with good intentions of an organization who gave with strings attached along with humiliation.  This organizations would give only if the news media was there at the “giving” so pictures could be made, the family interviewed, and a story about how good the giving organization was to bestow gifts at Christmas to this “needy” family going through a rough patch. Sigh.

I was appalled at hearing about her family’s previous experience.  I told her our church, which I was a part of, would not treat them in this manner.  I told her we would come only to leave the gifts for you and your husband to give to your family as you see fit.  No photos.  No applause.  We only want to help because I love your little boy so much and I highly respect the young gentleman you are raising to be a good citizen of our classroom.  She then accepted the help only when she felt the love behind it.  Love is the key.

Matthew records the message Jesus gives to people who want to learn who God is and how to please Him.  Playacting is not one of those ways.  “Acting as if” breaks the heart of God and cheapens the giving.

Matthew 6:1-4, The Message

The World Is Not a Stage

“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.

^2-4 “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.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Be like Daniel, my former first grader, who had the gift of giving, who knew how to please his teacher with his humble attitude and willingness to obey because we loved and respected each other.

Let Love lead. God’s Love in us must lead our actions and behaviors that flow from pure hearts.

Help without thinking about applause with rewards. 

Be a helper who obeys God’s promptings to help because He knows who needs it most at just the right time.

Do what God’s Holy Spirit says at the right time, in the right place, in the right Spirit without a thought to what you will receive in return.  This is the definition of a true disciple of Jesus.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:17, NLT

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23) We all experience and fall for the temptation of pride.  We must run from the temptation of doing good only for the applause of those we want to impress on earth.  The sin of pride is prompted by the evil one who was kicked out of heaven for possessing this very character flaw.  Satan still wants all the glory.  So, run from pride that seeks applause every time you help someone.  “Pride goes before a fall” is one the most quoted Proverbs for a reason.  (Proverb 16:18)

And no photos, please!  The only picture of us necessary is the one God sees. God sees our hearts and knows our motivations.  Be still and know God, let go of self-righteousness, and look up for His help to be better at doing good deeds to benefit others—prompted by His Holy Spirit. 

Being comes before doing any good work in Jesus Name.  Jesus spent quiet time with His Father in Heaven before doing…who are we to think we don’t need direction from the same Father?

“That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.”  Matthew 6:4, MSG

Lord,

Thank you for teaching us to keep our motivations in sync with Your Holy Spirit.  Forgive us when we go off the grid of your love, mercy, and grace and do only what pleases our selfish desires.  Be our wisdom and strength for today. 

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen