Gifts in Secret

Matthew 6:1-4 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  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 the secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Matthew 6:19-21  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

     Everyone likes a pat on the back once in a while or a nice word to say that we did well.  The encouragement can help us understand that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.  This is especially important for children.  If they never hear positive reinforcement then, as parents, we aren't giving them the guidance that we should be.  They need direction and encouragement to learn how to be men and women of God.
     However, I have found there to be an issue.  When I look at what the Bible has to say, it talks a great deal about encouraging one another.  But how are we supposed to encourage each other?  We tend to focus on doing the good deed instead of   why   we should be doing the good deed.   We need to refocus our encouragement.  With children, at the appropriate age, this also includes teaching them that their God honoring choices shouldn't be announced.  It's so easy as adults to call up a friend and casually tell them a good thing that you did.  You want your friend to approve and give you adoration.  We need to retrain ourselves so that we can train up our children correctly.  How wonderful our treasures in heaven will be!  I don't want to squander them on praise from people.
   
1 Thessalonians 5 talks about encouraging one another in the Lord that we will be doing what God wants us to be doing so that when he returns we will be ready.
Romans 15:5 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Acts 11:23 "When he arrived and saw what the Grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."
John 12:43 "...for they loved praise from men more than praise from God."
     
"Lord,  I want to adore you and praise you in all that I do.  Please help me to seek your adoration and not man's praise.  Help others to see your beauty in me and not just good works that I do.  I want you at the center.  Keep my focus on you, Father.  You are so good.  There is no good thing in me outside of you.  All that I am and all the gifts I have are only mine because you gave them to me.  You and give and you take away.  Show me how to live this life for your glory, Lord God.  Amen."