First, the disclaimer: This is a mere example; it doesn't mean that all fellowships have "issues" such as the ones illustrated below.

You can't help but to see them from time to time; the flashy suit, the tie, and the Cheshire grin. Yup, it's the resident super Christian of the First Whatever Church in Anyville, USA…and he wants EVERYONE to notice him!  He writes the name and amount of the offering on the envelope extra large so that all can see how much he tithes.  He conspicuously handles the envelope just before the offering, and while he places it in the basket.  He's the one that boasts about how he paid for the bulk of the expenses of the recent church project.  He continually arrogantly brings up all the time he spends "serving" in the community.  He complains about the ones who wear jeans to fellowship, and he may have even talked about you when you weren't there!  He the one who says in an audible manner; "yeah, I saw brother Smith at the EZ Mart last night; he was buying a 12 pack of beer, that must be reason why he isn't showing until the 11 am service". Another one in the gossip circle says "yeah he's hung over"! They quiet down as you pass by to go to the sanctuary. 

If you have found yourself in one of these speculative conversations ask yourself if you have the right to condemn the man for his transgression, or is it between that person and God. 

Pitifully, this goes on allot! This reminds me of the Pharisees!  That's right, we have modern day Pharisees attending our churches of today.

Luke 18:9-14 (New International Version)

9.) To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10.) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11.) The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12.) I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get!

13.) "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14.) "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

(the below text was extracted from www.jesuswalk.com)

Now Jesus, the storyteller, sets the figures into action.

"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men -- robbers, evildoers, adulterers -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' " (18:11-12)

Jews often stood as they prayed, looking up to heaven, often with hands raised. Look at the telling statement "prayed about himself." The preposition pros can be translated "about" (NIV), "with reference/regard to," but it could also be rendered "to" (NIV margin), "toward, towards, to." It could mean that he prayed silently, though the normal practice was to pray aloud, but quietly.

But his entire prayer is about himself. He thanks God -- not for blessings -- but that he isn't a sinner like others. He first lists those who were known to be evil: robbers, Greek harpax, "swindler or rogue" ,evildoers, unrighteous people in general, and adulterers. Then he compares himself to the nearby tax collector.

He also reminds God of how pious he is -- fasting and tithing. Pharisees developed the practice of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays to intercede for the nation as a whole. Pharisees far exceeded the requirements of the law in this regard. They scrupulously tithed or gave one tenth (Greek apodektaoo) on everything they acquired, even down to the herbs in their garden (11:23). As Jesus tells the story, I can almost hear a ripple of laughter sweep over the crowd. They all recognize the type of Pharisee Jesus is describing, and are amused. Jesus' description might have been a slight caricature of the Pharisees, but not too much of a stretch.

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' " (18:13)

Notice the tax collector's posture. Jesus describes three kinds of body language before he voices the tax collector's prayer.

Standing at a distance. He doesn't feel worthy to draw close to God or the temple.

Not raising his eyes to heaven, but standing with head level or bowed, as a sign of his sense of guilt.

Beating his breast. Though we don't see many instances of this in scripture is a sign of mourning, Josephus, a Pharisee who lived a few decades after Jesus, described David's mourning for his son Absalom in this way: "David ... wept for his son, and beat his breast, tearing [the hair of] his head, tormenting himself all manner of ways...."

The tax collector's prayer is remarkable and short. First, he addresses God, just as the Pharisee had done.

Next, instead of telling God all the good things about himself, he describes himself as a sinner, hamartolos, "pertaining to behavior or activity that does not measure up to standard moral or cultic expectations, 'sinner.' "Notice that he makes no excuses for his behavior, offers no mitigating circumstances. He is confessing his sinfulness before God and taking full responsibility for it.

Finally, he asks for mercy, Greek hilaskomai, "to cause to be favorably inclined or disposed, 'propitiate, conciliate.' When used in the passive, of one addressed in prayer, to act as one who has been conciliated, 'be propitiated, be merciful or gracious.' " was expecting to see the common Greek word eleeo, "to be greatly concerned about someone in need, 'have compassion/mercy/pity on or for someone.' "The difference between the two words is significant. Hilaskomai calls for forgiveness from one who has been wronged, while eleeo asks for compassion and pity for one in tragic circumstances.

For the tax collector to ask for forgiveness and restoration of his relationship with God is a bold and faith-filled act for a man so despised by his society. He is obviously humble and repentant of his sins, but his faith has made him bold to ask for something that he has no right to expect -- forgiveness and restoration before God.

(end of extracted text from www.jesuswalk.com)

In Closing…

We need to make sure that when we are doing things for our fellowship that it's in the service of God and not just to be seen by the fellowship to gain favor.  Friends will be gained in due time as you get to know folks.  We should NEVER show a façade of service just to gain accolades! Our motivation for doing things should be God given drive to serve!  Our serving should be where we have God given gifts and skills to do the job, if it's possible!

Philippians 2:3 (New International Version)

3.) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.