The Reward of Service
“When thou makest a dinner or a supper,” said Christ, “call not thy
friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors;
lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But
when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the
blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee:
for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” [
Luke
14:12-14
.]
In these words Christ draws a contrast between the self-seeking
practices of the world, and the unselfish ministry of which He has
given an example in His own life. For such ministry He offers no
reward of worldly gain or recognition. “Thou shalt be recompensed,”
He says, “at the resurrection of the just.” Then the results of every
life will be made manifest, and every one will reap that which he has
sown.
To every worker for God this thought should be a stimulus and an
encouragement. In this life our work for God often seems to be almost
fruitless. Our efforts to do good may be earnest and persevering, yet
we may not be permitted to witness their results. To us the effort may
seem to be lost. But the Saviour assures us that our work is noted in
heaven, and that the recompense cannot fail. The apostle Paul, writing
by the Holy Spirit, says, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due
season we shall reap, if we faint not.” [
Galatians 6:9
.] And in the words
of the psalmist we read, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his
[513]
sheaves with him.” [
Psalm 126:6
.]
While the great final reward is given at Christ’s coming, true-
hearted service for God brings a reward, even in this life. Obstacles,
opposition, and bitter, heart-breaking discouragements, the worker
will have to meet. He may not see the fruit of his toil. But in face of
all this he finds in his labor a blessed recompense. All who surrender
themselves to God in unselfish service for humanity are in co-operation
with the Lord of glory. This thought sweetens all toil, it braces the will,
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