The Sibling of Humility
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-4
We live in a world in which many of us can have our 15 minutes of fame. A few years ago, a friend of mine got hers: she made the BBC news website and trended briefly on the internet due of a post she published about pockets in a bridesmaid’s dress she was about to wear. (Pockets are uncommon on a bridesmaid’s dress, and the story connected with a lot of people.)
Suddenly, my friend was receiving phone calls from the press asking her to make comments about the unsolicited attention. A well-timed or well-worded post can go viral. Even if it doesn’t, it feels good to be acknowledged and receive comments.
Yet, as good as public recognition feels, the Gospel teaches us that the sibling of humility is anonymity.
When you act and choose to do good things, what motivates you? Is it a desire to gain positive reputation by using social media, the grapevine of our communities or the local press? What God calls us to do is about what we do in secret when the doors are closed and the camera is not recording; it is about doing good for its own sake.
In this practice of anonymity — of doing things privately without name or applause, or likes and comments — spiritual growth occurs. We act solely because what we do is what God has asked us to do: love others, pray for our enemies, serve the poor and give to those in need.
Another friend once confessed that if her actions aren’t seen or rewarded by others, they aren’t real. Rationally, she knows that’s not true, but emotionally she lacks confidence. I found it remarkable that she dared to admit that and the willingness to do the work to get a healthier view of herself. I encouraged her to start looking to God who sees and loves her rather than to people around her for validation and acceptance.
What good is God asking of you today? And will you do it so as not to “let your left hand know what your right is doing?”
