The Upside-Down Kingdom
When you think of someone doing something big for God, what comes to mind? A preacher on stage? A missionary starting a church in some far-off country? A virtuoso violinist wowing congregants with an amazing hymn arrangement during the offering?
What if I told you that some of the biggest things in God’s eyes happen where nobody’s looking?
That’s exactly what Jesus taught in Matthew 6. In His Sermon on the Mount, He makes a massive shift—from calling out religious hypocrisy to talking about something way deeper: your motives. Not just what you do, but why you do it.
Seen… But Not Seen?
In Matthew 5, Jesus told us to let our lights shine before men—to live lives so different that people would see our good works and glorify God. But then in Matthew 6, He tells us not to do our righteous acts to be seen by others. So which is it?
The answer is both.
Jesus isn’t saying to hide your faith. He’s saying to check your heart. You can do the right thing for the wrong reason, and if you’re doing it for attention, that’s the only reward you’ll ever get. It’s not the visibility that’s wrong—it’s the vanity behind it.
When Helping Hurts (Your Reward)
Jesus used the example of giving—something the religious leaders did with flair. Picture a guy announcing with a trumpet that he’s about to help someone in need. No, really. Jesus used that exact picture (probably to be funny). And He wasn’t impressed.
Those kinds of people, He says, “have their reward.” Meaning? They got what they wanted: applause. That’s it. No heavenly reward. No “Well done” from the Father. Just human praise… and then silence.
You might not blow a literal trumpet when you serve, but what about a metaphorical one? Ever made sure people knew how much you sacrificed? Felt bitter when someone else got praised but you didn’t? Posted a good deed on social media hoping for likes and comments?
It’s all the same heart: wanting the spotlight more than the Savior.
God Keeps Score Differently
The way Jesus puts it is this: “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” (Matthew 6:3)
In other words, don’t just avoid public praise—don’t even keep score in your own head. That’s next-level stuff. Most of us can resist bragging out loud, but inside, we’re high-fiving ourselves for being “a really good Christian.”
Jesus says to stop. Not because it’s bad to do good things, but because it’s bad to feed your ego with them. He warns us not to use our spiritual track record to build up our self-esteem. When we do, we rob our good works of their eternal value.
The Upside-Down Promise
Here’s the good news: your quiet service isn’t wasted.
Jesus promises in Matthew 6:4, “Thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
God sees everything. Every hidden sacrifice. Every unnoticed kindness. Every moment of mercy that nobody else clapped for. And He doesn’t forget.
You might slip someone a gift card and never tell a soul. You might babysit for a single mom, fix an elderly neighbor’s plumbing, or pray for your classmates every morning without ever posting about it. Nobody may ever thank you—but God sees.
And His reward is real. It’s better than a thank-you speech. It’s more lasting than a viral post. It’s eternal, and it’s personal. “Thy Father… shall reward thee openly.”
Why It All Matters
So what’s the takeaway?
Check your motives. Even the best actions can be spoiled by selfish hearts. Don’t serve to be seen. Serve because God sees.
And when you’re tempted to post that “humble brag,” or tell a friend about your sacrifice “just so they know,” remember this: the applause of people fades. But the reward of your Father lasts forever.
Live for His “well done.” Serve for His smile. And trust that secret service is never wasted.
This Article is a part of a series
The Upside-Down Kingdom
Bobby Bosler is director of Thee Generation and pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairmont, WV. He, his wife, Abi, and their four children traveled the country for 14 years in evangelism, reaching teens with the gospel and conducting revival meetings.
Our words. AI polished. This article was adapted from the author's original content using AI. We’ve used technology to clarify and adapt the message—while keeping the heart and voice the same. All articles are proofread and edited by a human.
