The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” 

—Matthew 6:1–2

It’s easy to say we aren’t doing things so people will see it, but how many times have we done good and taken offense when we didn’t receive a “thank you”? Or become discouraged and been tempted to stop serving because no one seemed to notice? Or become angry and complained to others when our efforts weren’t rewarded?

Though we genuinely want to do good, we often feel like it’s only worth it if we receive some reward from others, and sometimes we don’t realize that until we feel the frustration of not getting it.

When resentment arises within us because our good deeds haven’t been noticed, let’s remember that we shouldn’t require worldly validation to continue on God’s path, and our need for that recognition will lead us astray. Our motives determine our reward. 

Do we want the attention of men? Then that will be our reward. Do we want to do what the Lord has called us to do regardless of whether or not men are impressed? Then our reward comes from him.

As believers, we can be free from the need for other men’s approval, validation, or recognition.

Our true, lasting validation comes only from the Lord. Our reward is from him, and it is enough.

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