Christians are not to hide their light. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). He commanded us to live in open goodness and service. We are not to be secret disciples. We are to stand up and speak up for God and for good.
However, the Bible also warns us against a proud, self-seeking display of giving, praying, fasting, and other religious acts. Jesus did say that these acts of devotion should be done in secret and that our Father in heaven who sees us in secret would reward us openly.
How then do we balance the command to “open goodness” and the command to “secret devotion”? It is the motive that makes the difference. Our goodness is not to draw attention to ourselves. It is to draw attention to the Lord.
Jesus is ever and always opposed to theatrical goodness. A lighthouse does not fire guns or ring bells to call attention to its light. It just shines. That’s what we are to do. Without drawing attention to ourselves, we are to go about doing good quietly and consistently and thus glorify our Father in heaven.