In all of our works done for Christ and in His name, God’s grace is at work.  This is why John Wesley said that good works are a “means of grace” just like the Lord’s Supper, prayer, Scripture reading, worship, etc.  Jesus is always near when we are seeking to serve and obey Him.  We sometimes even sense special blessings in these times.  When we do our works as service to the Lord, then grace flows not just through us, but to us.

“But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’…Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:6, 8a (NRSV)