In a world driven by likes, follows, and public affirmation, Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:5 strike with timeless clarity: “When ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. … They have received their reward.” The lesson is simple, yet profound. There is a clear distinction between seeking the reward from God versus from man. According to Jesus, we cannot pursue both. We must choose: will we live for human applause or for the approval of our heavenly Father?
Outward acts—prayer, giving, serving—are easily corrupted when motivated by a desire for recognition and praise. The challenge before us today is whether our spiritual life is rooted in true devotion or in the approval of others.
Watchman Nee’s Commentary
The great Chinese evangelist had this to say about Matthew 6:5:
“There are two different kinds of reward: that which comes from man, and that which comes from God. No one can have both rewards. If we wish to receive man’s reward now we will not be able to obtain God’s reward in the future. We cannot seek to enjoy great fame on earth and then have high position in the kingdom to come. If today’s zeal and alms are for the purpose of getting fame and praise, there will be nothing to gain in the future before God. For this reason we should refuse today’s reward.
What, after all, can the praise of man add to us? If we have our eyes opened we will seek only the glory before God and the angels; the rest will not count at all.”
Attending Synagogue as a Child
I distinctly remember attending synagogue as a child and witnessing how many of the ‘religious’ men used to pray. Services were conducted in Hebrew, even though none of us understood the language. These men seemed to look down on those of us who did not attend services as consistently as them. And when they prayed, it was loudly, demonstratively, and in my mind, calling attention to themselves.
Instead of being welcoming to their brothers and sisters, they were aloof, with a holier-than-thou attitude. I remember feeling ‘less than’ in their presence. Their attitude said, ‘We come to synagogue every morning to pray. You don’t. We attend every Friday and Saturday service. You don’t. We know the prayers by heart. You don’t.’ There was nothing inviting, welcoming, or encouraging about their attitude, these elders of the congregation.
The Difference Between Rewards
Jesus did not condemn public prayer in itself—He prayed publicly many times. Rather, He was warning against performative spirituality. Hypocrites, He says, “love to stand and pray… that they may be seen of men.” Their motivation isn’t connection with God, but validation from people. And sadly, Jesus tells us, “they have received their reward.” That’s all they get.
But God offers a better way. When seeking the reward from God in humility, quietly and sincerely, we receive something far greater than the fleeting praise of people—His reward endures for eternity. The recognition of man is momentary and hollow. The recognition of God lasts forever and fills the soul.
Glory Before God, Not Men
The human heart craves recognition. Whether it’s our name on a plaque, our voice in a crowd, or a subtle pat on the back, we long to be noticed. Yet Nee’s commentary wisely asks: “What, after all, can the praise of man add to us?”
If our eyes are open to eternal things, we will seek glory before God and His angels. That audience matters most. One day, all human praise will fade, but the approval of God will remain. This is the essence of seeking the reward from God—a reward that affirms faithfulness, not fame.
This doesn’t mean we must hide every good deed. But it does mean we must check our motives. Do we post our prayers and fasting to appear spiritual, or to encourage others? Are our acts of generosity truly selfless, or secretly self-promoting?
When I Chose the Spotlight Over Service
A few years ago, I was asked to help organize a community outreach event. It was a great opportunity to serve behind the scenes—calling vendors, coordinating logistics, and praying for the people we hoped to reach. But early on, I found myself more drawn to the parts of the event that got attention—speaking at the microphone, being seen as the “visionary,” or getting credit for how smoothly things ran.
I didn’t start with that motive, but somewhere along the way, I began to measure my value by how many people noticed my contributions. When someone else was thanked publicly instead of me, I felt jealous. I had made the event more about me than the people we were serving—or the God we were honoring.
Afterward, during a quiet prayer time, I felt convicted. I had received my reward already—in nods, applause, and recognition. But I had missed the greater reward: the joy of serving in hidden obedience. That moment reshaped how I approach service. Now, when I catch myself drifting toward the spotlight, I ask: Would I still do this if no one ever knew?
Serving With an Eternal Perspective
In comparison, consider my friend Linda, a volunteer who spent years quietly caring for elderly patients at a local nursing home. She never posted about it online. She never even mentioned it in small group. When asked why she kept it so private, she smiled and said, “Because I don’t want to steal God’s glory for something He gave me the strength to do.”
One day, a family member of a patient discovered Linda’s years of selfless care and thanked her publicly at a church service. People were moved—but Linda gently turned the praise back to God. Her humility wasn’t forced; it was formed by her commitment to seeking the reward from God, not applause from people.
Her quiet service may never trend, but heaven takes notice.
Living for the Lasting Reward
Jesus is urging us to live for something deeper, something lasting. He is calling us to trade temporary attention for eternal honor. If today’s giving, praying, or serving is only for visibility or reputation, it may bring applause now—but it leaves our hearts empty before the throne of God.
This is why Jesus emphasizes secrecy in Matthew 6—not to stifle good works, but to preserve their purity. When our righteousness is done in secret, God rewards it openly. And unlike man’s fickle, fading applause, seeking the reward from God yields benefits that are full and complete.
Call to Action
So where do you seek your reward? Is your spiritual life fueled by intimacy with God, or filtered through public display? Are you content to be unseen by man if it means being seen by your Father in heaven?
Today, let’s examine our motives. Let us ask God to reveal where we may be living for man’s approval instead of His. And for practice, let’s seek to do one good thing this week that no one else knows about—just us and God. Then, let’s savor the quiet reward.
Have you ever wrestled with the temptation to seek recognition for spiritual things? What helps you keep your motives pure? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
About Raleigh Acupuncture
At Raleigh Acupuncture Associates, we are deeply committed to providing the highest quality professional acupuncture while being rooted in strong Judeo-Christian values of love, faith, kindness, and truth. We guide our practice with compassionate care, where each patient is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, faith, or beliefs. We welcome people from all walks of life and strive to create a warm, inclusive environment promoting healing and holistic wellness. Our dedication to delivering exceptional acupuncture is paired with a genuine love for helping others, making our clinic a place where faith and professional medical care come together for the well-being of every patient.
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