When Silence Helps Better1 min read

When I was younger, I recall a conversation between two older Christians.

One complained that a particular billionaire was not doing his fair share. The other said he might be. Just because it doesn’t splash on front-page news might mean he prefers his generosity to be unseen. Not that he is doing nothing.

This is this sort of pressure that makes Christians run to the headlines when they do good stuff.

Part of this comes from reading one scripture and forgetting another.
We “like” this – In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father – Matt 5:16

And “unlike” this – Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. – Matt 6:1.

Because we hear the world complain “Christians don’t do enough”, our response is to post pictures and scream “see us doing the good stuff”.

Jesus expects us to shine our light on the people who need our help.

But they should be the ones telling the story. Not the unknown spectators.

If we understood the inestimable value of a human soul, we would find satisfaction in only the people we help knowing the good we have done.

They should be the ones telling the story.

And yes occasionally, they may borrow our platform to do that.

But we don’t do our good and call the world to come to see us at work.

This is one time when silence works better.