Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline outlines the difference between self-righteous service and selfless service. It can be hard sometimes to see the difference in others so let this be a means to examine our own motives: 

• Self-righteous service comes through human effort. True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside.
• Self-righteous service is impressed with the "big deal." True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service.
• Self-righteous service requires external rewards. True service rests contented in hiddenness.
• Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. True service is free of the need to calculate results.
• Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.
• Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.
• Self-righteous service is temporary. True service is a life-style.
• Self-righteous service is without sensitivity. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive. True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it.
• Self-righteous service fractures community. True service, on the other hand, builds community.