By Pastor Jeff,
In 1995, I had a dream and though I can no longer remember the specifics but I do recall the scripture that I was led to as it’s interpretation, Luke 17:7-10, “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
1 Corinthians 9:16-18, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” In 2017 it was said that an average of 1500 ministers left the ministry every month. Some obviously retired but many others just came to the conclusion it wasn’t worth it, it was too much work, to little reward. They didn’t do it for just the obedience to the calling but looked at as a job. Matthew 6:1-6, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” If they did it to be seen of man, they indeed have their reward!
We should never do anything for the kingdom in order to receive any reward in this world. I do believe that recognition for a job well done is something that needs to be done when warranted but it’s not the goal in our lives. After all we have a great reward to come. Eternal life with Jesus Christ is my goal and it is what I’m running for!
We are living in such a reward desiring generation and you have participation trophies given for just showing up. This has been an issue in our churches as well, as everyone wants to have equal voice, equal involvement, and equal recognition even when they just show up. 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
You want a great reward? Then do this, Luke 6:35-36, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Let’s work for our Lord out of love not worldly gain!
picture care of; christianhub.org
