Chapter 329—The Reaping
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his
grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7
.
No one can give place in his own heart and life for the stream of God’s
blessing to flow to others, without receiving in himself a rich reward....
The grace of Christ in the soul is developing traits of character that are
the opposite of selfishness—traits that will refine, ennoble, and enrich the life.
Acts of kindness performed in secret will bind hearts together, and will draw
them closer to the heart of Him from whom every generous impulse springs.
The little attentions, the small acts of love and self-sacrifice, that flow out
from the life as quietly as the fragrance from a flower—these constitute no
small share of the blessings and happiness of life. And it will be found at last
that the denial of self for the good and happiness of others, however humble
and uncommended here, is recognized in heaven as a token of our union with
Him, the King of glory, who was rich, yet for our sake became poor.
The deeds of kindness may have been done in secret, but the result upon
the character of the doer cannot be hidden. If we work with whole-hearted
interest as a follower of Christ, the heart will be in close sympathy with
God, and the Spirit of God, moving upon our spirit, will call forth the sacred
harmonies of the soul in answer to the divine touch.
He who gives increased talents to those who have made a wise
improvement of the gifts entrusted to them is pleased to acknowledge the
service of His believing people in the Beloved, through whose grace and
strength they have wrought. Those who have sought for the development
and perfection of Christian character by exercising their faculties in good
works, will, in the world to come, reap that which they have sown. The work
begun upon earth will reach its consummation in that higher and holier life
to endure throughout eternity.
He who is “rich unto all that call upon him,” has said, “Give, and it shall
be given unto you” ... (
Romans 10:12
;
Luke 6:38
).... Every sacrifice that
is made in His ministry will be recompensed according to “the exceeding
riches of his grace.”
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