Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…
Matthew 6:1

“Look at me! Watch what I’m doing! I’m helping people! I’m cutting their bushes. I’m washing their car. I’m raking their yard. I’m bringing them food.” It’s hard to help others absent from pride building up in us. It is. I think one of the reasons is because we are, by nature, prideful people. So this is one area we must consider when helping others.

I remember back in the 4th grade that someone in my class (she will remain unnamed) was the teacher’s pet. She knew it. The rest of the class knew it. The teacher knew it. And we were all angry about it.

The student, who will remain unnamed to protect me from being slain, would do all kinds of things in front of the teacher so she could continue to keep her status as “Teacher’s Pet.” “Hey teacher, can I clean the board for you? Can I pass out papers for you? Can I take your printing needs to the office? Can I be the hall monitor today? Tommy broke in line.” I think you get the idea.

It was sick. I hope you don’t hear any anger in my voice. But it was horrible to see it. But do you know what the problem was? The real problem was that I WASN’T THE TEACHER’S PET, and seeing her get all that special treatment made me upset. Eventually, 5th grade came, and another student took her role. YAY! (I harbor no ill feelings…I promise)

9 Years later, I became a middle school teacher and had my own pet student. It’s funny how time changes things. Oh well.

Pride can be dangerous

Jesus told his followers to “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). It was a warning, not a suggestion. Jesus said when we do things to be seen by others, it is not good. What drives you to do what you do? During the COVID019 outbreak, we want to help people, but we must be careful to do it in a way that doesn’t bring attention to ourselves.

Pride is like an addictive drug. Once it captures you, it can cause significant damage.

There are many things I will not do. I will never purposely get into a wrestling match with an alligator. I will do everything I can to avoid the large mouth with piercing teeth of that animal. I’m not as quick as I used to be, and I’m sure that encounter would drastically shorten my life. Why? Because me wrestling with an alligator is dangerous to me. So I avoid it at all costs. Pride is the same way. It is dangerous.

My encouragement to you is to practice being light to others (Matthew 5:14-16) without getting credit. Give credit to the one who gave you the strength to do it. When they say “thank you,” respond by saying, “you’re welcome.”

Remember, we do what we do out of our love for Jesus and our love for others, not love for ourselves.

Pride can be hypocritical

Jesus then says that when we give to the needy and tell others about it that we are like the hypocrites in the synagogues. Is that what we really desire for ourselves? I don’t mean for this post to be harsh, but one to encourage you to give and give generously to others without receiving credit. Again, this is not easy. This goes against all we are as people. The goal is to point others to Jesus.

When others see us do things for the love of ourselves, it only screams that we want the accolades and recognition. They need to see us doing things because we love Jesus.

Let’s covet together to help others in the best way we can and not in a prideful way. Real righteousness is without pride.

A Prayer…

Lord, I know I’m prideful in ways that I don’t always recognize. Help me to give to and help others in a way that doesn’t bring attention to myself. While I might be tempted to want praise, help me to be the light that others need to see. Lord, help me to point others to you when helping others. You are the real reason I do what I do, and I ask you to help me make sure others see that.