We know that our Christian service shouldn’t be conditioned on wanting payback for the good we do.
We are to display kindness and forgiveness and generosity and hard work for others simply because those are the right things to do.
Jesus showed all of the above for us long before we ever had the opportunity to show the same toward Him and His people.
He did the right thing with no consideration of a payback for Himself.
Well, we know that’s the ideal.
But then there’s the “real.”
We’re rarely so faithful.
Even the Apostle Paul acknowledged the stubborn streak of self that permeates even the faithful:
“Each of you should not look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
OK, so it’s not sinful to anticipate a blessing in return as long as we sincerely are offering blessings to others first.
If we practice the Golden Rule of doing for others what we’d like them to do for us, then we’re within the will of God and we have the hope of His favor pouring into our eternal storehouse.
It doesn’t take a massive effort or life-threatening act of valor to get God’s attention and promise of blessing.
It just takes a desire to put others first.
Even in something as small as giving them the cold bottle of water that your parched mouth would really like to have.
“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” (John 10:42)
Do something nice for somebody today, my friend. No matter how small of a kindness you show, it won’t be too small for God to notice.
That good deed will be the good seed for eternal blessing.
As always, I love you
Martin
