“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:1
One of the unfortunate realities of our fallen humanity is that it’s really easy for us to do good things for bad reasons! The fact that sin affects (and infects) every aspect of our mind, body, and emotions means sin threatens to taint even the best things we try to do. We always need to be aware of why we do the good things we do.
Are we helping people, giving to those in need, caring for the vulnerable, etc. because it’s the right thing to do? Because Jesus commanded us to? To make God visible and famous? Or are we doing it because it makes us feel good? Or because we think it gives us leverage or status in God’s eyes? Or, perhaps, because we enjoy the applause of people who know what we’re doing? Do we do good things because we like the thanks and approval of others: those we serve, those in our circle of friends who will hear our stories of sacrifice and virtue, or those leading the organizations we serve or give to? Do we give, serve, and love to be approved by God or because we enjoy the approval of others?
Jesus isn’t warning His followers against doing good things. We’re supposed to be doing good things! Jesus is warning us against the creeping tendency for our motivations to either begin wrong or become wrong such that we do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Live at all times to serve and please God. Period. If others praise you, thank you, or celebrate you, then humbly accept the accolades of others, but don’t let those sneak into becoming a major reason you’re doing the right thing.