Your Daily Devotional for March 10, 2006

March 10, 2006

 

A Servant's Heart

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient."

2 Timothy 2:24

 

Every born again Christian is a servant of the Lord. Our priority in life is His service; our goal is to live in His favor. Today we will look briefly at God's plan for success as a servant.

 

The reward of a Christian's life is not the size of his paycheck or the notoriety of his position. It is in the patient, loving performance of the small things that are required of us each day. The ministry in which the Lord has placed us will not progress because of our ability to organize. It will not progress because of our ability to dress sharp, or to win friends and influence people. Only the grace of God, by the working of the Holy Spirit, can bring true value to what we do. For those who stand by a man of God and lift up his arms, encourage him, and seek to advance the cause of Christ in their cities and their own homes, there is a God in Heaven who sees and will reward with blessings.

 

Often we hear quoted 1 Corinthians 4:2: "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." Just stay by the stuff. One day up in Heaven, someone from the Philippines may come up to you and introduce himself. He'll say, "Remember that missionary you supported in Manila? You prayed for him, and gave to him so he could buy a Jeepnie, and one day he drove that Jeepnie to my neighborhood. I'm in Heaven today because you were faithful." Right now, those of you that are being faithful, there is fruit to your account. No one can take it away. I've never lost anything that I've invested in the work of God. I don't regret one hour, one dollar that I've given to my Saviour.

 

You may not have the talent to lead every ministry. You may not be able to sing beautiful solos or play concertos on the piano. But there is one thing that you can be: faithful. Realize that there are some people who will look at you to see how involved or uninvolved you are in the church, and that will become their standard for what is normal. Do your utmost to set the standard for dedication high. Grace is that by which the soul is supported after we find mercy, and the Lord will help you as you seek to excel in his service.

 

The Bible says that one day, if any man's work abides, he will receive a reward. You don't have to worry about people's perceptions of you if you are being faithful. God will take care of it. If you do something for the Lord because you love Him, and you want to see people saved, He will always reward you justly. Look forward to the day when you can lay that reward down at Jesus' feet.

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