When Doing Right Still Costs You

 

 

Scripture:

 

“Be careful not to parade your acts of tzedakah in front of people in order to be seen by them! If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven… so that your tzedakah may be in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

— Mattityahu (Matthew) 6:1–4, CJB

 

Reflection:

We can do everything right in our own eyes and still fall short. Even on our “best” days, sin is still present, and our righteousness apart from God is never complete. That’s why our works can never save us—only Christ can.

 

When we do the right thing and still get criticized… when we serve and no one thanks us… when we’re misunderstood, ridiculed, or even persecuted—that moment reveals why we’re doing what we’re doing.

 

If we get upset because there’s no recognition, then our heart needs checking.

 

We don’t serve for applause.

We don’t love for approval.

We don’t give for glory.

 

We serve because Christ lives in us.

Because He laid down His life for us.

Because He forgave what we could never repay.

 

Jesus told us to give in secret—not because good works are bad, but because our hearts are fragile. Even when we try to “share” our good deeds to teach others, our human nature quietly seeks credit. And all glory belongs to God alone.

 

Some say, “I’m just a good person.”

No—you are a redeemed person.

Christ is the source of anything good flowing through us.

 

And be prepared for this truth:

You can do everything right and still be spoken against.

 

Jesus did everything right—and they crucified Him.

 

It had to happen.

And He would do it again… for love.

 

Encouragement:

So keep serving quietly.

Keep loving faithfully.

Keep doing good when no one is watching.

 

Let your reward come from heaven, not from people.

Let your peace come from obedience, not recognition.

 

And when you’re misunderstood, remember—you’re in good company.

 

—

 

-Rev Carlos Figueroa

TheFreeBible.Org