Madonna, Giving, and God's Glory

The pop diva Madonna recently visited Malawi to finalize her adoption of two Malawian children.  She wasn’t happy with the visit.  She requested a meeting with the country’s President and it wasn’t granted.  Then, airport officials insisted Madonna and her family go through security checkpoints with regular passengers instead of offering special treatment.  The pop diva complained publically.

In response, the Malawian State House issued a statement.  The statement read, “Granted, Madonna has adopted two children from Malawi. According to the record, this gesture was humanitarian and of her accord. It, therefore, comes across as strange and depressing that for a humanitarian act, prompted only by her, Madonna wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude. Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else. Blackmail is the closest it becomes.”  Ouch.

I don’t know Madonna’s side of the story, but I can relate to expecting something in return for my kindness.  I have been miffed when people didn’t appreciate an act of service the way I thought they should.  Jesus warns against such behavior. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encourages folks to practice anonymous giving: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others 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...” In other words, give and serve for God’s sake and not your ego’s sake.  Jesus teaches His people to give and serve for God’s glory and not their own.

As you go through the coming week, look for opportunities to give and serve anonymously - for God's glory.  Send a small gift to someone having a difficult time, letting them know God loves them.  Help someone in need in the name of Jesus instead of your own.  Root your acts of service and kindness in devotion to God and find fulfillment in Him.  As you do, you will find rewards far greater than meetings with Presidents or special privileges at the airport.  You will find God's goodness.