When do we tell or Share???

Matthew 6:5-7

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

One of my love languages is words of affirmation, I found long ago that I really like it when people especially my loved ones but friends as well as strangers, give me encouragement and tell me that what I am doing is "good" or "right". It gives me strength to keep going and keep doing my "good" works. However, it can also change my reasoning for doing the "good" work as well. If I do "good" works in order to get words of affirmation, then my motives are wrong and my "rewards" are therefore received in full with the words of affirmation that I get. This is what the scripture above speaks to. Many of the religious people of that time, had began to do their duty in prayer out in the public where all could see how devoted they were and how godly they were, because they were "seen" doing the "right" things. However, their hearts were all in the wrong place and therefore, all of their correctness and godliness was rewarded by the praise they received by the people who saw what they did. So they missed out on the eternal reward and the eternal extra's that come along with a truly Godly act!!! So we see in Matthew, that we are told to no longer seek glory in the eyes of man, but to seek only God's glory and when we do this, He will reward us with things that are more then just passing praise that only lasts for the moment!!! However, take a look at this:
Matthew 5:15-17

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Now, I know one is about prayer and one is about good deeds, but where is the balance??? You might ask why this matters in this group and why I am even bringing this up??? Well, I was asked and told by a member of this group, that I never give examples of how I follow my own posts and how I live my every day life "Making the Change", my automatic response was, I don't think it's a good idea to post all the things I "do", because then I may lose my reward and also my hearts motive may change as well. However, as a leader, even if it's a group page on facebook, those who read my posts deserve to know, that I am living my convictions and that will, I hope, give them or you the inspiration to make the change in your part of the world and influence your community in a positive way!!! So, I will be posting everyday for the next seven days, one thing I do to make the change in my little corner of the world. I hope that it will inspire you to do the same and let us see what your doing, so that all of us can be inspired to make the world a better place, because we chose to make a difference!!! :-)