Serve With the End in Mind
ICS Daily Devotions
Revelation 22:12 (NKJV) “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Let me ask you: “Why do you or don’t you serve?” Some of you might say, “I serve out of gratitude or out of love for people.” Meanwhile, some of you might say, “I don’t serve because I have no time, or I don’t see why I should!” Let me tell you a truth that the modern church often whispers but rarely shouts: God promises to reward you for your service. The Bible is not embarrassed by the motive of heavenly reward.
The reward we are discussing is inheritance, not our salvation. We are saved by grace, not by works. We are made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ. We serve willingly because we are grateful for Jesus’ work of atonement and redemption for our sins through His blood. We are saved to do good works, including serving Him.
The opening Scripture contains the final words of Jesus in the Bible. He said, “I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.” Jesus is not coming empty-handed, but with rewards in His hand!
Matthew 10:42 (NKJV) And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Every cup of cold water given in His name is remembered; every time we serve or give at church events or on mission trips is recorded. God has recorded the ministry work of every believer. Nobody can serve on your behalf because heavenly rewards are non-transferable!
Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
God asks us to be good stewards of His money, and there is nothing wrong with investing the resources He has given us. But He doesn’t want our hearts to be focused on storing up riches, or else the love of money will draw us away from Him. God encourages us to commit our hearts to storing up treasures in heaven. He wants us to be heavenly-minded while being of earthly good at the same time.
While pursuing earthly treasures, some have experienced broken relationships and families, and some have not been able to enjoy the fruit of their labour because their lives were cut short by sickness or accident. Some of these treasures might be stolen, swindled, or devalued over time.
We spend much time working to be successful on this earth, but we have forgotten that we will spend eternity in heaven. Jesus wants us to serve with the end in mind.
Reflection: Are you driven more by temporary earthly success or by an eternal heavenly reward? How is God inviting you to respond to the truth that Jesus is coming to “give to every one according to their work”?
Sermon Series ： Investing in a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
