Youth Page

Have you ever heard that statement before? Do not toot your own horn. That phrase refers to the person who is always talking about himself. He just cannot stop telling others about how great he is. No matter what the conversation is about, this person will somehow make it about himself.

The person who toots his own horn thinks he must convince everyone else that he is somebody special. He will constantly tell others about his accomplishments. He will try to make sure that others see him when he is doing something. He must be the center of attention.

In New Testament times there were such people. In Matthew 6:2 we read, "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

It seems that some people would blow a trumpet to draw attention to themselves. These people would stand on a street corner and blow their trumpets. When others would look, these people would then act very religious. They wanted to show off to others. They wanted others to think that they were special. They wanted to be the center of attention.

But, Jesus said to do our alms in secret (Matthew 6:4). He is not interested in people that do things for attention. He is not interested in people that just do religious things to draw attention to themselves. He is interested in people who truly want to worship him.

Study your Bible. Learn what God wants you to do to worship him. Attend church services. But, do so because you want to please God -- not because you want others to see you.