Inspirational Story
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 6:1 NIV)
MY DESIRE TO APPEAR LIKE a good girl was deeply rooted in my childhood. I’m not sure if it was my traditional Italian upbringing or my desperate desire for approval, but it was ingrained.
As a child, I’d help my teachers at every turn, eager for the accolades. I had almost fastidious manners and soaked up compliments from my parents’ friends.
Even after becoming a Christian, the habit persisted for a long time. I wanted people at church to know how much I volunteered.
Many times, I’d say yes to requests for help solely for that reason, never thinking to ask Jesus if it’s what He wanted me to do. Eventually I burned out on serving in ways Jesus hadn’t called me or equipped me to do. Ironically, I became anything but people pleasing as I grew resentful or dropped commitments after overdoing it.
Today’s verse tells me that if I do good deeds solely for human praise, I won’t get any credit with God. Sounds harsh, but the point is that if I’m not doing it out of loving gratitude to God and by His strength, then it’s really all about me.
I’ve learned to ask Jesus what He wants me to do and wait for an answer. I can then serve Him and enjoy the enduring rewards of helping others with no strings attached.
—ISABELLA CAMPOLATTARO
FAITH STEP: Next time you have an opportunity to do a good deed, consult Jesus first and then try doing it without telling anyone at all.
Shared from "Mornings with Jesus 2022: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul"
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 6:1 NIV)
MY DESIRE TO APPEAR LIKE a good girl was deeply rooted in my childhood. I’m not sure if it was my traditional Italian upbringing or my desperate desire for approval, but it was ingrained.
As a child, I’d help my teachers at every turn, eager for the accolades. I had almost fastidious manners and soaked up compliments from my parents’ friends.
Even after becoming a Christian, the habit persisted for a long time. I wanted people at church to know how much I volunteered.
Many times, I’d say yes to requests for help solely for that reason, never thinking to ask Jesus if it’s what He wanted me to do. Eventually I burned out on serving in ways Jesus hadn’t called me or equipped me to do. Ironically, I became anything but people pleasing as I grew resentful or dropped commitments after overdoing it.
Today’s verse tells me that if I do good deeds solely for human praise, I won’t get any credit with God. Sounds harsh, but the point is that if I’m not doing it out of loving gratitude to God and by His strength, then it’s really all about me.
I’ve learned to ask Jesus what He wants me to do and wait for an answer. I can then serve Him and enjoy the enduring rewards of helping others with no strings attached.
—ISABELLA CAMPOLATTARO
FAITH STEP: Next time you have an opportunity to do a good deed, consult Jesus first and then try doing it without telling anyone at all.
Shared from "Mornings with Jesus 2022: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul"
