Don’t “toot your own horn” when doing good deeds

Does anyone besides me have problems with people who take selfies or make videos of themselves doing good deeds? We see that so often in our society today, and it really bothers me. It’s one thing for a group such as Habitat for Humanity to be highlighted by the media; but it’s quite another to post of a video of yourself giving money to a homeless person, or making sure everyone knows how much money you donated to someone’s Go Fund Me page, etc.

Good deeds are something we do “from the heart”; they are between us and God. Their purpose is not to put the spotlight on ourselves; rather, to bless the receiver and thus, give glory to ADONAI. As a matter of fact, Scripture commands us to NOT toot our own horn or brag whenever we do a good deed. Take a look:

Matthew 6:1 “Beware of doing your kind deeds before men, in order to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in the heavens. 2 “Thus, when you do a kind deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do, in the congregations and in the streets, to be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 “But when you do a kind deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your kind deed shall be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret shall Himself reward you openly. (ISR)

Contrary to what some (or even most) religions teach, Y’shua taught that giving should be done anonymously if one expects a reward from Heaven. There is no need for givers to receive public recognition for parting with one’s cash! Y’shua said that those who make it their goal to be recognized through their giving have already received their reward - from their peers, not from Heaven. Of course, that teaching did not make him popular among the rich religious leaders, as he exposed their nonsensical ideas that the rich received some “spiritual” rewards for supporting their religion.

Please remember that, the next time you do a good deed. YHWH knows what you’ve done.. No one else matters! (See also Job 13:10 and Proverbs 18:11.)