The hidden cost of seeking public praise
Published 11:59 pm Thursday, October 15, 2026
In Matthew’s gospel chapters 5-7, we read a sermon of Jesus. If you are looking for some amazing reading, look no further. Matthew’s version of the things Jesus taught along the shorelines of the Sea of Galilee is an incredible read. In this sermon Jesus touches on anxiety, judgement, anger, lust, divorce, swearing oaths and retaliation. He moves seamlessly from one topic to the next. The sermon is often called the Sermon on the Mount. There is all sorts of amazing advice for our lives packed into these three chapters.
Recently, I have been focusing some energy on parts of chapter 6 where Jesus talks about when we “do” things that are connected to our faith. In some traditions we call this practicing our piety, in others we call this doing spiritual stuff. Three things in particular that he was talking about were giving to the needy, praying and fasting. About all these things he said, when you do them, be careful not to do them so others will see you doing them. He warned that when you give, when you fast, when you pray–not to do it so that others see you. He said to avoid boasting about them or doing them so others will think more highly of you. He then warned–if you do announce these things, you will have received your reward. He warned against trying to win people’s praise and instead to set our minds on the eternal nature of our actions. And finally, he outright challenges his audience by saying, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Concerning prayer he said to not heap up empty phrases to impress but instead to do your praying in private. Jesus was not a fan of seeking peoples praise, rather he always seemed to be thinking of honoring God. He taught that when we do these things, to keep things between you and God. If you really think about it, his advice is amazing. We all like to be recognized, and we all like for people to have a high opinion of us. What is amazing about Jesus’ advice is that he is right in multiple ways. While you may be trying to impress, what you may be unaware of is that people do not respect it when someone brags about their good deeds, or tells how much they gave away. So, in effect, Jesus is sparing us from losing credibility with his advice. On another level, he is inviting us not to forfeit God’s rewards that come with doing these things.
When it came to giving to others, he said, “do not sound the trumpet before you…instead do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” In regards to fasting he says not to make yourself a spectacle and not to bring it to others attention. Instead, just do it without letting others know. In all these things Jesus suggests there is a built in blessing that is forfeited when you “toot” your own proverbial horn.
One final thing to consider about these teachings of Jesus is that he says, “when” you fast and “when” you pray, and “when you give to the needy.” He could have said, “if”. I think it goes without saying that Jesus expected our faith to play out in these ways. Jesus assumes that we will be a people of prayer, fasting and meeting the needs of others. And when we keep these things to ourselves, the reward is ours!
