Me: I think that is a fake tree Prodigal:

Prodigal: I think it might be, it is not as good as a real tree.

Me: I have to agree.

This is from the book Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado

1. Expect no credit for good deeds. None. If no one notices, you aren’t disappointed. If someone does, you give the credit to God. Ask yourself this question: “If no one knew of the good I do, would I still do it?” If not, you’re doing it to be seen by people.
2. Give financial gifts in secret. Money stirs the phony within us. We like to be seen earning it. And we like to be seen giving it. So “when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt. 6:3).
3. Don’t fake spirituality. When you go to church, don’t select a seat just to be seen or sing just to be heard. If you raise your hands in worship, raise holy ones, not showy ones. When you talk, don’t doctor your vocabulary with trendy religious terms. Nothing nauseates more than fake “Praise the Lord” or a shallow “Hallelujah” or an insincere “Glory be to God.”

It is not about YOU. It is about the Lord! It is to easy to think something is about you because you can take the credit but that will increase pride and before you know it, the ministry is about you. Stay true to what the Lord has done in your life!

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.

Matthew 6:3-4

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org