Day 22: Serve in Silence

Up to this point, most of the biblical leaders we’ve studied made bold, visible sacrifices. Their acts of faith—building walls, challenging kings, healing the sick, washing feet—were massive, public demonstrations of leadership. At first glance, it may seem that being an upside-down leader is about being seen doing great things. What better way to glorify God than to shine the spotlight on your team, your family, and your impact?

Not so fast.

Jesus offers a different view in Matthew 6:1-4 NLT:

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...When you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

The warning is clear: if your motive is admiration, you’ve already received your reward. But if your motive is obedience to God and love for others, you don’t need applause—He sees you. More importantly, you are building His Kingdom by leading others to Him (Matthew 5:16).

Jesus underscores this lesson again in Mark 12:41-44 NLT, where He observes the Temple offering:

Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins…[She] has given more than all the others…she has given everything she had to live on.

Her gift wasn’t flashy, but it was deeply sacrificial. Jesus wasn’t impressed by the size of the offering; He was moved by the heart behind it. We discussed this same sacrificial story in another YouVersion Bible Plan, Nine Tenth: A Biblical Guide to Financial Discipline & Freedom.

But Here’s the Tension…

You probably remember me saying “praise in public.” After all, Jesus did point out the widow’s offering to teach others, and in the workplace, we often have to share our successes to build trust, gain resources, and encourage others.

So, how do you balance quiet sacrifice with strategic visibility?

It all comes back to the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 NLT says:

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I sharing this story?
• Why am I sacrificing?
• Who gets the glory: me or God?

Here’s the win-win: If you share to glorify God, uplift others, or bring resources to the mission, you’re aligned with Kingdom purpose. If you sacrifice quietly, without recognition, God still sees you, and His reward is eternal.

The Foundational Truth:

Leadership isn’t about being seen. It’s about moving the mission forward. Whether you serve in the spotlight or in silence, let your heart be pure, your purpose clear, and your actions intentional.