What Rewards Are You Expecting from God?

What’s so difficult about being a servant or being thought of as a servant is the negative identity that is associated with being a servant to others. It creates an attitude of thinking that you do not measure up socially. Yet God calls each Christian to serve others.

It’s difficult to believe each person is accountable for the quality of service rendered to God and others. Quality of service refers to knowing what you do is for God’s personal glory and not your own glory. So what makes serving God and others so special?

Listen to Galatians 6:9. “Let us not become tired or weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The harvest is the reward of experiencing God’s favor and having your life enriched with a godly purpose where you lay up treasure in heaven that makes you worthy to be invited to enter God’s Kingdom.

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Blessed is the one who remains faithful when tempted, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 New International Version/Good News Bible

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What Is Objectionable About Being a Servant?

Whether work is perceived as fulfilling and purposeful or as drudgery and entrapment is a choice. Fellow employees and supervisors may be viewed with contempt and resentment or as individuals God has placed in my life to teach me how to be a servant.

The idea of being a servant may be hard to swallow because both our goal and attitude are to be an authority figure. What isn’t given any honest consideration is how do I measure up as a servant? The answer depends on how I personally define servanthood.

Servanthood has traditionally carried the overtone of being under the authority of others. From a Christian’s viewpoint, being a servant of God is the most blessed position a person could hope to attain. 

So your mindset will be that as I serve God with humility and thanksgiving, I am privileged to also be available to serve others. God will supply you with patience and humility to be a servant to others.

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You were chosen to be free. ... Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.

~Galatians 5:13 Contemporary English Version

For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 

~Hebrews 6:10 New International Version 

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What Makes Serving Others Joyful?

The idea of being a servant has fallen out of favor today regardless of social status. Being served by others is more acceptable, for it conveys authority, power, and privilege. However we do serve others, whether at home, work, or play.

Serving can be a joyful experience that delights the heart and soul, or it can produce an attitude of resentment and contempt. Whichever attitude is present depends on self-perception. Do I see myself as above serving others because entitlement confers on me the right to be served?

Jesus made it absolutely clear he came into the world to serve and to give his life to redeem mankind. Jesus obviously saw a higher purpose in serving others, and that higher purpose was to please God. Think of being a servant as laying up treasures in heaven where the rewards are eternal. If being a servant was preferable to Jesus, then it must be good and honorable. 

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And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 

~2 Timothy 2:24 New International Version

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What Draws People Closer in a Relationship?

Whatever shapes a relationship and determines its success or failure is directly attributed to words that are spoken in conjunction with a positive or negative mood. It’s possible to temporarily disguise feelings and thoughts, but eventually and predictably, the truth will be revealed.

Some people would never disguise their thoughts or mood even as they realize these thoughts and feelings, if expressed, would damage the relationship. While this approach hides dangerous pent-up emotions, they contribute to a sad, depressed mood that pushes people away.

Conversely, feelings which are joyful, confident, and peaceful exemplify a mood of contentment that draws people closer to each other. 

In life we have a choice of being a peacemaker or an alienator, to expect and live with hope for the future or become engulfed in negative thoughts and moods. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called God’s own people.” What a blessed position to share with those you love!           

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Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16 New International Version

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How Does Expressing Kindness Affect Acceptance?

Being accepted is one of the highest achievements mankind strives for throughout life. Acceptance depends on several contributing facts such as character, social skills, education, and a multitude of other factors. 

We’re born into a family where acceptance should be a given, but one child can be more favored than others, depending on gender and birth order. While children are not overtly rejected, one may be more favored.

The content of all emotional attachments is communicated by affection and joyful feelings expressed toward each child. Your feelings, whether positive or negative, represent acceptance or rejection.

Proverbs 11:12 confirms: “It’s foolish to speak scornfully of others.” The word 'scornful' describes an attitude of judgment and a hateful mood. Listen to Proverbs 11:17. “You do yourself a favor when you are kind….”  Remember, wise people think before speaking, and being kind promotes acceptance. Praise God for the kindness he demonstrates to us.

It is a  treasure to cherish.   

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So in Christ Jesus all of you are children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized have clothed yourself with Christ.

~Galatians 3:26 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

Now therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

~Romans 8:1 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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How Does Our Mood Affect What We Say?

The words we say to another person in stressful situations can permanently damage a relationship. Words reflect moods such as happy, joyful, sad, or angry. These feelings are identifiable by the tone of voice and facial expressions.

Mistakes are often accompanied by a mood such as anger or fear. Words spoken carelessly while in a particular mood may reveal what is actually factual but, once spoken, are forever imprinted in the mind of the one who hears.

Regardless of your mood, you are accountable for every word spoken. 

So, it’s not always appropriate to say what we think and feel. While mistakes are forgivable, they can have a permanent, negative impact. Proverbs 10:17 are words for the wise: “People who listen when they are corrected will live, but those who will not admit that they are wrong are on a dangerous pathway.” God’s word is the pathway to life and peace.

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Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

~Psalm 139:23-24 New International Version

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Are We Responsible for Learning from Mistakes?

It is amazing how past mistakes shape what we presently choose. Corrected mistakes can be responsible for choices that paved the way for success and happiness. What ultimately mattered is how accountability influenced a final outcome.

In our society divorce has come to be an acceptable solution for a bad marriage. What’s interesting to note is over 60% of those entering a second marriage fail to make a better choice. Is this a by-product of failing to learn from previous mistakes?

You are responsible for learning from mistakes and applying new knowledge to current situations. How does God feel observing his people making poor choices in the face of unmistakable warning signs? Proverbs 27:12 makes this observation: “Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and later regret it.” 

Listen to the still small voice of God as he speaks to you now.

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Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?

~2 Corinthians 13:5 New International Version

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