Pay it forward ∙∙
I urge you . . . in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. – Romans 12:1
Romans 12:1-3
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
The Power of Paying It Forward
In 1999, Catherine Ryan Hyde’s book, Pay It Forward, introduced a transformative idea: the concept of “paying it forward.” This philosophy encourages those who receive acts of kindness not just to return the favor but also to do three good deeds for others. This creates a ripple effect of kindness.
Social Reinforcement
Reinforcement is a core principle in behavioral psychology developed by B.F. Skinner. It encourages desired behavior by associating it with positive outcomes or by removing negative ones. Reinforcement plays an essential role in shaping behavior. Social reinforcement includes expressions of approval, affirmation, recognition, smiles, acceptance, and praise. Even just the presence of others can serve as a natural form of social reinforcement, powerfully influencing our actions and decisions.
The impact of social reinforcement
A landmark study in 1968 demonstrated the power of social reinforcement. School-aged children with poor study habits and below-average academic performance received positive social reinforcement, such as praise and attention for their study efforts. The results were remarkable; some children nearly doubled their study time, resulting in improved academic performance. This study shows how encouragement and recognition can motivate desirable behaviors (Hall, R.V., Lund, D., Jackson, D. “Effects of Teacher Attention on Study Behavior”).
The Intrinsic Rewards of Kindness
Acts of kindness are one form of social reinforcement. Many acts of human kindness carry their own rewards. They help the recipient while also giving the giver personal satisfaction and improved well-being. Simply put, doing good makes us feel good. This internal reward increases the value of helping others, benefiting both individuals and the community as a whole.
The Danger of Seeking Approval
Unfortunately, in our fallen state, the pursuit of positive reinforcement often becomes a common goal. This frequently causes us to seek approval through noticeable acts of goodness aimed at gaining public recognition. However, this approach is shortsighted because it favors temporary rewards over lasting spiritual benefits.
The Lord Jesus Christ clearly warned against ostentatious displays of kindness or piety. As children of the King, our aim should be to serve others, not ourselves. Matthew 5:16, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
When acts of kindness are done merely for public recognition, they lose their eternal value.
REFLECT & PRAY
Acts of human kindness and service should be Father-centered rather than self-centered.
Father, thank You for all the grace, mercy, and kindness You have shown me. Encourage me to pay it forward by being gracious, merciful, and kind to others.
INSIGHT
Doing Good for the Right Reasons
The Lord Jesus Christ issued a warning against seeking praise in Matthew 6:1, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
The Lord Jesus Christ begins with a strong warning: “Watch out!” The Greek verb translated as “watch out,” “beware,” or “take heed” is prosecho. Prosecho was originally a nautical term, meaning “to steer a ship in a specific direction, sail toward a destination, and stay on course.” Over time, it came to mean “pay attention,” “be on guard,” or “focus.”
In modern colloquial English, we might say, “stay focused,” “stay grounded,” “stay on track,” or, borrowing from Aretha Franklin’s timeless words, “You better think (think, think).”
A Maxim Regarding Public Displays
Every child of the King should follow this all-encompassing principle: avoid showing your goodness to others just to seek their praise.
When we do good deeds for public recognition, we miss out on the eternal reward from our heavenly Father. Instead, our actions should be driven by love and devotion to God, not by a desire for applause or admiration.
The Importance of Motives
Richison emphasizes the dangers of public recognition in religious service. Such recognition can lead to misplaced priorities and sinful pride. He points out that “Good things can be done in the wrong way.” It’s not only about what you do, but also why you do it.
How can we make sure we perform good deeds and show kindness effectively? How can we achieve this? It’s all about motivation.
In Matthew 6:1-18, the word “Father” appears 10 times, emphasizing that our good deeds and acts of devotion should be done for Him. Our motivation should stem from our love and affection for the Father, not from a desire to be seen and applauded by others.
Kindness Done in Secret
When performing acts of kindness, Jesus teaches that they should be done in secret, without drawing attention to ourselves. He uses hyperbole to highlight this principle in Matthew 6:3, “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
This vivid imagery highlights the importance of discretion in our charitable acts. By keeping our good deeds private, we ensure that our motives remain pure and focused on honoring God.
Distorted Piety
In Matthew 6, Jesus highlights three areas where piety and worship can become distorted by improper motives:
- Giving (Matthew 6:2-4)
- Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)
- Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
In each case, the Lord Jesus Christ warns His followers to guard their hearts and ensure that their actions are done for the right reasons.
The World’s Hierarchy vs. God’s Kingdom
In the world’s hierarchy, those in power expect to be served. However, in the Father’s kingdom, this hierarchy is inverted. Greatness is achieved through service and humility.
The Lord Jesus Christ provides clarity on true greatness in Mark 10:42-45: “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
His teaching radically redefines our understanding of power and authority, calling us to embrace humility and commit ourselves to becoming the servants of others.
Paying Forward the Kindness of God
As children of the King, we are called to “pay it forward.” Our primary motivation should be to reflect the kindness we have received from our Father God. This requires a willingness to serve and a heart of humility.
If we aspire to be great in God’s kingdom, we must be careful not to fall into the same trap as the rulers of the Gentiles, who seek power and recognition.
Serve with the Right Heart
The Lord Jesus Christ encourages us not only to perform good deeds but also to do them in the proper manner and for the right reasons. Our acts of kindness and service should be driven by our love for the Father and our desire to honor Him, rather than by a need for public recognition.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 