Doing the Right Things for the Wrong Reason

Being recognized for doing good feels good. 

When my kids were little, the reward for good behavior may have been a piece of chocolate or an extra thirty minutes playing a video game. 

Rewards worked well in keeping kids in check. 

However, if we are honest, we never seem to outgrow the motivation to be rewarded. We may not say it out loud, but as adults, our motivation for good behavior or good deeds is often the expectation of the recognition we get. 

The bible says, “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it (Matthew 6:1).” So Jesus challenges us to serve in secret. He is encouraging us not to be concerned with recognition. 

Focusing on the reward can confuse our performance with our self-worth, which can be unhealthy and self-defeating.  

Let’s pay attention that we don’t find ourselves doing the right things for the wrong reason.