When is the last time you did something for someone that not only cost you something, but no one knew you did it? Selflessness doesn't draw attention to you, selfishness does. For instance, I can be involved in a community service project, which on the surface might make it appear that I am selfless. However, if my hidden agenda is motivated by the public recognition I will get, I am probably being self-absorbed.
Jesus spoke straight forward to the Pharisees about this. He talked with them about how they did their "works" for all to see in Matthew 23:5. Or, in Matthew 6:5, Jesus talked about the pharisees praying in public for all to see and He said this was the only reward they would have. Matthew 6:6 tells us to do this in secret and that our Father will reward us, cause He sees all.
One modern day example is the television series called "The Secret Millionaire". It is a great show that contributes $100,000 to charities each week. A millionaire goes out into a community "in secret" for one week and lives on about $40 for the week. He or she then goes and learns about the various helping organizations in the community and then at the end of the week reveals him or herself as a millionaire and gives the worthwhile project up to $100,000. I love the concept of the show! However, the millionaire isn't secret to those of us who watch the show. We know who they are and we know what they do for a living. So, was their giving really in secret? And, how much does hours worth of advertisements cost during primetime television? Is it more or less than $100,000? Because the millionaire of the week is getting exposure for a whole hour of primetime, I am a little suspect. Now if the millionaire only gave me their first name, and I couldn't identify their company I might believe it was more of an act of selflessness. Certainly, in marketing terms there is no doubt that this is smart marketing, very smart marketing. And, it is highly possible that these millionaires do give money in secret and more power to them if they do!
Selflessness costs us something! It means we are giving our preference up in order to serve another. We don't get anything in return! Self-absorption weighs out the benefits to me and what I can get out of something. It asks how will this benefit me and if someone else benefits from it...great, that is an added benefit.
Think of all the things you do for others. For your spouse, for your children, for your extended family, for your church, for your friends, for you work, for your community, etc. Now think about those things and figure out how many of them are done in secret...meaning only you and God know! If you can't come up with anything, maybe it is time to start praying for God to lead you to some secret service.
When I think of selfless people, the first person that comes to my mind is Mother Teresa. She came from a family of affluence, yet she went to India and lived a life of simplicity serving and caring for the poorest of the poor. I would like to close with her poem called "Do It Anyway"
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
____________________________
