Present and Eternal Rewards
229
Reward for Welfare Work—Those who will receive the most
abundant reward will be those who have mingled with their activity
and zeal, gracious, tender pity for the poor, the orphan, the oppressed,
and the afflicted.... There are about us those who have a meek and
lowly spirit, the Spirit of Christ, who do many little things to help those
around them, and who think nothing of it; they will be astonished at last
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to find that Christ has noticed the kind word spoken to the disheartened,
and taken account of the smallest gift given for the relief of the poor,
that cost the giver some self-denial.—
The Review and Herald, July 3,
1894
.
God Takes Note of Works of Kindness—Every act of justice,
mercy, and benevolence makes melody in heaven. The Father from
His throne beholds those who do these acts of mercy and numbers
them with His most precious treasures. “And they shall be Mine, saith
the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” Every
merciful act to the needy, the suffering, is regarded as though done to
Jesus.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:25
.
Rewarded for Little Things Generally Overlooked—At the day
of judgment those who have been faithful in their everyday life, who
have been quick to see their work and do it, not thinking of praise or
profit, will hear the words, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Christ
does not commend them for the eloquent orations they have made, the
intellectual power they have displayed, or the liberal donations they
have given. It is for doing little things that are generally overlooked
that they are rewarded.—
The Youth’s Instructor, January 17, 1901
.
When the cases of all come in review before God, the question,
What did they profess? will not be asked, but, What have they done?
Have they been doers of the word? Have they lived for themselves, or
have they been exercised in works of benevolence, in deeds of kindness
and love, preferring others before themselves, and denying themselves
that they might bless others? If the record shows that this has been
their life, that their characters have been marked with tenderness,
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self-denial, and benevolence, they will receive the blessed assurance
and benediction from Christ, “Well done.” “Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world.”—
Testimonies for the Church 3:525
.