“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men… for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24, NKJV). With these words Paul turns our motivation away from human approval and towards God’s purpose. They are especially encouraging for those who have given themselves sincerely, with no hidden agenda, to lift others, often at great personal cost.
Many people have given time, energy, money and emotional strength to improve other people’s lives, only to meet selective memory, entitlement, belittling or silence instead of gratitude. Scripture does not deny that reality, but it reframes it. Our good works were never meant to run on applause. Jesus warned against doing good deeds in order to be seen by others (Matthew 6:1), reminding us that human recognition is fragile and inconsistent.
Colossians 3:23-24 is not a call to do good for the sake of reward. It is a call not to regret doing good when no reward comes from people. God sees, God remembers and God repays. Hebrews assures us: “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints” (Hebrews 6:10, NKJV).
Jesus also highlighted gratitude in the account of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). All ten were cleansed, but only one came back to give thanks. Jesus noticed, and then said to the grateful man, “Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19, NKJV). The word used can carry the sense of being made whole, a restoration that goes beyond the disease itself. Gratitude opened the door to fullness.
Yet Jesus did not take the healing back from the nine who did not return. He healed them anyway. That shows us God’s heart: His goodness does not depend on how the recipient responds, and we are called to reflect the same grace. As Jesus taught, “But love your enemies, do good… and your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35, NKJV).
So if you have done good without applause, take courage, and do not grow weary or cynical. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV). Serving others selflessly is not weakness; it is Christlikeness. People may forget, belittle or misunderstand your sacrifice, but God does not.
In the end, it is not people we serve but Christ, and the reward that comes from Him is just, eternal and complete.
