Mt6

If you do what you do to get the approval of men, your reward is limited to this life and men's capacities. If you do what you do to be rewarded by God, your reward is eternal and has unlimited capacity! Do what you do for God's approval.

It is difficult to escape the trap of wanting man's approval. In fact, often even our "righteous acts" are done purely to be seen by others. Jesus takes a hammer to that whole idea. He says, "Don't seek man's reward. Seek God's." 

What is our private life like? When we are alone, out the view of others, who are we? It is in those moments that our relationship with Jesus comes into the clearest view. It is in that context the "Who and What" we value has the greatest attention. The second question is, "Who are we around others?",and "Does who we are change depending on the others we are around?" 

Let this year be a year of seeking to truly please God in every context. He will reward us.