In Mathew 5:16 it says that we are to do our good works in front of men so that when they see them they will glorify our Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
In this section of Paul reporting back to the people in Jerusalem about his missionary journey we see those words of Jesus fulfilled:
Acts 21:19-20a
After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
And when they heard it they began glorifying God; ...
Telling others what God is doing in our ministries ought to produce praise and glory for God. It ought not to produce envy and ego trips. Paul was sharing with them the glories of Christ. They responded by giving glory to God. That is what our "success" in ministry is all about. We are not to share to boast of our accomplishments. We are not to try to solicit envy. Yet, in most of our churches, when we see the success of others we attempt to down play or judge or marginalize their success. When we see another church grow and ours isn't what do we do. Paul came back to Jerusalem and sang great praise of what God was doing. It must have been tough for the Jerusalem council since they were in persecution, with disciples living and fleeing. They were in a famine. Yet, God was blessing Paul ... and on top of that he was going to the Gentiles. Praising God for what He is doing in others is the intent of God. But, it goes against our nature. The next time you hear or see another's ministry being successful, praise God. Glorify the Father. That is what the good works are intended to do ... bring praise to Him.
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