What would I do if I never got the credit for it?

There are a number of questions that people ask themselves as they try to live lives of character. Two common ones are:

- What would Jesus do?

- Would I still do this if other people found out?

I have one that I think is worth considering to add:

- Would I do this if no-one knew it was me - if I never get the credit for it?

This is the opposite of the question that checks to see if you would only do something if you knew you would not get caught or seen. This one asks if you only do something in order to get recognition for it. I have a larger problem with ego than with shame, so this is an appropriate one for me. A wise man once said "There is no limit to what you can do if you do not care who gets the credit."

And I think the example is worth following of "He must increase, but I must decrease" - from one whose task was not to draw praise for himself but to point to someone fundamentally more important.