Work for a cause, not for applause.
Live life to express, not to impress.
Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.

This bit of wisdom from that ubiquitous author “Anonymous” addresses our motives. Why do we do what we do? The answer suggested by the quotation is that we should do things to impact others without wanting to be attention-grabbers.

Attention-seekers usually get exactly what they are want: a few moments in the spotlight and nothing more. Often the attention they get isn’t what they wanted. Attention-seekers have a way of making themselves look greedy, needy or seedy. They attention they get is usually in the form of amusement, pity or disgust. 

A better approach to life is simply to do worthwhile things. Do things that are noble in themselves: pursue a good cause, express a though-provoking opinion, work in such a way that people will regret it when you leave. Live your life in this way, and you’ll get the right kind of attention in the right proportions and in the right way. 

Jesus addressed our motives for service when he said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6.1). He followed with three illustrations — giving alms to impress others (v. 2ff); praying to impress others (v. 5-15); fasting to impress others (v. 16-18). With each example, he said that when we do something to grab attention, as soon as we are noticed we “have [our] reward in full” (v. 2, 5, 16). This was an accounting phrase. It’s what clerks do when a bill is paid: they stamp the bill with bold red letters saying, “Paid In Full.” For the attention-seeking do-gooder, his only reward is the applause of men, not the approval of God. 

Earlier in this text Jesus reminds us that our good works will be and should be seen: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5.16). Jesus’ concern wasn’t that we do things publicly, but that we do not do them for publicity. Doing things “Before men” emphasizes visibility; doing things “to be seen of men” emphasizes vanity. One approach glorifies God, the other glorifies the doer.

For today, do good because you ought to do good. For Christians, that’s its own reward.