Did anyone see that?

Matthew 6:1-3 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

I don’t know how rewards work in heaven. You would think that being in the presence of almighty God would be enough reward in itself. But there is enough scriptural references to “rewards” or “crowns” for us to accept there is some form of reward system in glory. However this reward system works, I am resigned to the fact that there won’t be many waiting for me. It’s not because I don’t play my part in “doing good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” as Ephesians puts it. But it would appear most of the things I do are in public. You get the thanks here on earth!

The Bible paints the clear picture that good works done in private, purely to serve God and please him, are the ones with the greatest rewards in heaven. Those of us in the public eye appear to have the “greater role” to some on earth, but in reality it’s the not the place that God secretly smiles on the most. I could claim some independence to the public nature of my good works, as God’s sovereign plan. In reality, it’s a place I’m very comfortable, probably too comfortable and too enjoyable.

However, you know about the wonder of those who do amazing things in private when you have the privilege to be close enough to them to spot it. These people don’t shout about the good things they do. They don’t unsubtly drop hints about what great exploits they did when no-one was looking. You get those rare glimpses of seeing them in action by being close enough. In God’s great balance he has coupled me with a wonderful wife who does so many things for God that most never see. But what a reward awaits her in heaven! I wonder how many others are daily blessing others and blessing God without ever being seen?

So let’s all look for the times where we can bless others when no-one is looking. Let’s fight the need to be thanked and noticed. Let’s be reassured by knowing that the Father sees, smiles and says “thank you, there’s a reward waiting here for you”.

On YouVersion