When we think about the affirmations that we get at work we can feel pretty good about them. Most great companies will have some form of recognition program where the top people, as measured by performance and/or results, will get singled out, applauded and then given some form of extrinsic recognition. I have seen trophies, certificates, pictures, parking spots, cash and even get-away trips. I just spoke with a person a few weeks ago whose company singled him out for the top honor and he was rewarded with a surprise trip to Russia. That’s pretty cool by any standard. We read a lot in the press today about irresponsible companies who give these trips and they come off as “boondoggles” or “extravagant”. That is not for me to judge, but I do know that recognition in front of one’s peers works and an incentive for better performance is created. So, I see nothing wrong with recognition, that is unless we start to “need” it. Yes, if we are seeking out the recognition of others as the goal and the end-game then the motivation is wrong and if we are making the recognition the primary motivation then we run the high risk of allowing ourselves to become obsessed with the “pats on the backs”, etc. What is wrong with this you say? On the surface it can’t really do much harm can it? Probably not, but down deep inside we are beginning to want to lay up our treasures in the wrong places and we are searching for the recognition by other people versus from God. Jesus speaks about this when he talks about the spiritual leaders of his day who were all about what others had to say about them and how they were treated and recognized. He says, “Everything they do is for show…and how they love to sit at the head table at banquets and the most prominent seats in the synagogue”. He is talking against their need for recognition and the need for the perks that come with an office. In business we are also used to perks. There was a time when I had access to the corporate jet. No more. Recently the commercial airline that used to give me so much recognition reduced my status down to the same as the casual traveler. When I found this out it bothered me so much that I was obsessed with it for days on end. It felt like something had been stripped from me. The truth is that I don’t fly enough anymore on that airline to have earned the perk status. But still, I was obsessed with the loss of recognition. This is not the way that God wants us to operate and work. We can’t let these artificial accolades take us over. He wants us to fix our eyes, heart and mind on Him and to live and work the purpose of bringing Him glory and let all the rest fall away from us. As you think through the areas in your work life where you seek recognition or perks, give a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself if you have let it go too far? What would happen and how would you feel if the recognition or perk went away tomorrow? How you answer is how important those things have become to you.

Reference: Matthew 23:5,6 (New Living Testament)