Day 337
Mark3:2
''And they watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him."
As Jesus entered the synagogue one Saturday, the Pharisees watched Him to see if He would heal a man who had a withered hand. They were not interested in the man's well being and did not care whether or not he was healed. They only wanted to find fault with Jesus and bring a charge against Him for breaking their Sabbath rules.
It is important that our motives are right when we help people. If we are meeting the needs of people for show and to gain public approval, we may be setting ourselves up for great disappointment. Contrary to what some believe, everybody does not want to see the needs of others being met. Some care nothing for the helpless unless doing so would benefit them personally. The Pharisees were jealous of Jesus and were bent on destroying Him, because Jesus did not approve of them. Besides, He was more popular with the people. He took away a lot of the attention they once enjoyed. They could not do what Christ could do, and people were following Jesus in great numbers.
Some people will advertise to the public, doing things like calling a press conference or inviting the media to observe their acts of benevolence, thinking everyone will admire them for their good deeds. Others will boast to their friends and relatives about their kindness to others. It is important to realize that even friends and relatives can be jealous and despise us for what we are able to do with our natural talents or by the supernatural power of God. If we do not understand this, we will run our mouths off and tell the wrong people about what we have done or are planning to do. In doing so, we invite unnecessary opposition from those who are unhappy about our good deeds.
We must never expect to gain popularity by our good works. Everyone will not be happy that we are doing good. If our motives for helping others are not pure, we need to ask God to clean us up on the inside and help us serve with a pure heart to His honor and glory.
I will help humanity with a pure heart. My desire will be to please God and help others. Whether or not I am ever recognized by man for my good deeds, I will be satisfied in knowing God is pleased with my helping others and that my life is not in vain.