I heard someone once say something similar to this on Twitter: “I wish when someone did something good they’d just keep it quiet. It’s what Jesus would do.”
We had just come out with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Belt and I have to admit I felt a twinge of guilt. Maybe I should have just sold the belt and given the money without making a web site, inviting people and asking them to share. I knew a random person on Twitter wasn’t who I should be looking to for my guidance. But still. I felt it. But of course I know that by sharing, more than a thousand Africans have been given water so how was that a bad thing? None of us were doing it to be showy. In fact, the whole drive behind it was to do less for ourselves.
As my life is becoming slowly more radical and the blog continues to grow, I’m turning to Scripture on how to handle this. I know that I know that Scripture does not contradict itself but there are some verses that are conflicting for me right now and I need to know how to resolve it because I know it does.
The first set would seem to support the “keep it quiet” stance that comes from Matthew 6:3-5
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 men. I tell you the truth, 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.
And the second is from Hebrew 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
So there it is. Do you see the problem? On one hand I want to share and encourage other Christians to step out but on the other it seems our giving should be in secret.
With a wider audience, I think bloggers especially have an awesome opportunity to spur other Christians on. I know I am prodded and encouraged when I read of others’ ideas on how to help the needy. And many bloggers are asking their readers to join them in the process. I think of the belt but also Marla encouraging readers to give Expecting books. Or even on a larger scale, the Compassion, World Vision, and Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox bloggers.
So what’s a Christian to do?
I have had it explained that in Matthew, it was directed at the folks that were talking about it JUST to get a pat on the back and say, look what I did! There was no real compassion behind their giving or announcement. They weren’t announcing to get others to join and help but for others to praise them.
In any case, it does say to do it in secret. Was the intent to say keep it quiet if you’re doing it for the wrong reason or always, no matter what, keep it quiet? If that is the case, how does blogging (or just sharing in general) fit into the commandment to spur one another towards good deeds? It doesn’t seem right to only make suggestions for others on what they should do and never talk about what you are doing. That in fact, seems more hypocritical to me.
I’d like to say I have an answer but I don’t. I’d love to hear what you think. What’s a blogger to do?
While I don’t know the answer to your question, I can speak as a reader. And as a reader, I’ve never felt that anything you did was in any way showy. You always come across very focused on doing good, plain and simple. It’s inspiring, and I mean that sincerely. Beyond giving food to the Care Center from time to time, I am not good at remembering to do more for folks that might not have as much as we have. I enjoy reading what you are doing in your life, because it reminds me of the good I can do with mine.
So I guess what I’m saying is that if you share your good works with the world via blog, twitter, whatever, and you do it without pride in yourself, only with the intent to inspire others, that can only be a good thing. I’m glad you share.
I think it’s about the motivation behind the action. Is the motivation to feel good about yourself and receive congratulations? Or is it to do a good deed that ministers to people, meets a need, and brings glory to God?
You post a verse from Matthew 6, but in the chapter before Jesus says:
Chapter 5: “15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
So I think it’s about your heart/motivation behind the action. And maybe it’s possible to have mixed motives at times. But I’d pray that God would make all my actions be of a humble nature seeking His glory/Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).
Wow! I missed that verse…that definitely seems to say we share (with the right heart).
Keep Blogging! Mom
I was going to write a comment but I don’t need to. Go back up to Blake….read it….read Matthew 6:33 It is all about the intent!!!! I am doing the belt too….can’t wait til I get it!!!
Thanks for sharing this with us. Have a blessed day!
Karen
Karen recently posted…Dayspring Memo Board Winner
Well dang it, they already answered it. I think it’s all based on why you’re doing what you’re doing. Knowing you and your heart, I don’t think God could do anything but smile at your efforts.
oh and blake..you now have me singing “this little light of mine” 😛
I thought of that too!
I agree that the motivation behind it is key. The awesome thing though, that is even if the motivation is only self-promotion, then God can definitely use that too.
Yes, I love that even when we fail, He still works it out for His glory.
Hmm…The constant struggle.
I have to say that this is difficult sometimes to do in the blogosphere. Am I doing this for His glory or my own? If the answer is mine, I take a bit of time off for a few days until I am centered again.
I also recently started to intentionally pray before I start writing – I ask that God will merely use me as His vessel. That He will communicate what He wants said simply through me but it will not be about me.
Were you at Relevant? I don’t think I met you. Bummer.
Natalie at Mommy on Fire recently posted…Multitude Monday- When It’s Not So Rosy
No, I didn’t make it to Relevant. I chose to go to Catalyst in Atlanta in October. Many of my Blogging/Twitter friends were there though and I tried to keep up the best I could online.
Well, I’ll just say that if YOU hadn’t posted your stuff, it wouldn’t have inspired me to do something on my end. So in that regard it’s a win. I posted my stuff, which in turn my inspire someone else to do something as well. And so on. That’s how the “pay it forward” thing works.
Also, by posting about it on your blog, it keeps you accountable. It’s why I laid out my whole campaign for 2011, so that people could check in with me and say, “So how are you doing with item #3 on your list of action items?” and keep me going with encouragement and motivation. Another win.
As everyone has said, it’s about the INTENT behind the posting. If the intent is to say, “Hey look at me! Aren’t I great?” then you are doing no one a favor and should keep it to yourself. But if you are posting because you are growing, learning and wanting to see if others can do the same, then keep up the good work!
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I’ve just discovered your blog through the Radical read a long, and love it. We just finished a series on Money at our church, and our minister encouraged us all to be open with each other about our money and how we use it, and a big part of that is to spur one another on. Money should not be a taboo subject among Christians. He started the ball rolling by telling us (specifically) how he and his wife have ordered their finances so that the can give away as much as possible. I was inspired and I’m also inspired by your blog, obviously since reading Radical am working through all this stuff too. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Fiona! Glad to have you here. Thanks for the encouragement to share!
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