March 13, 2002
Reading 6:16 -21
“Lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven” (20)
If ever there was a time when the vulnerability of earthly wealth is evident, this is it. Small investments to huge fortunes have been lost with no hope of recovery. Retirement funds have disappeared. People have had to sell their homes because they have lost their jobs and can no longer afford the mortgage payments. Some have even sold their homes on which they owed no mortgage because the property taxes have become unaffordable. We used to laugh at the man who kept what money he did have “under the mattress,” but in hind sight, for some that may have been the best idea.
There is another form of wealth,
and it is that which feeds our ego. Recognition for a job “well done” is
coveted in the business world. Plaques and trophies line the walls of
professional businesspersons, and many are motivated by the recognition they
receive in the presence of their peers. Children love receiving “participation”
medals and certificates in their various sports and take great pride in hanging
them on their bedroom wall. While there is nothing wrong with this concept, it
is unfortunately practiced in the spiritual realm. Jesus addressed this matter
in His sermon on the mount and used the practices of the religious leaders to
teach His truth. Deeds such as charitable works (Matt 6:1-4), prayer (6:5-6)
and fasting (
There are some wonderful truths about our heavenly Father set forth by Jesus in these words. Firstly, He “sees’ in the “secret place,” and ‘rewards openly”. We Christians, many of us, fall into the trap of subtly revealing to others our “charitable deeds,” etc. Do we really think we are pulling the wool over God’s eyes simply because in the environment of a prayer meeting we share something we have done? Our expressed motive is to ask the group to pray for this person we went out of our way to help. Is this a pure motive, or do we want others to know of our good works? We might fool others but, unlike man, God knows the intents and motives of our heart. Would we be disappointed or gratified if we discovered that others were talking about the wonderful things we do “for the Lord”? Then we have our reward. Do not look to God for any additional ones. He sees. It is futile to attempt to fool Him into thinking otherwise.
He is in the “secret place.” Many of His saints who quietly go about their Christian life helping others and praying for them, and who receive little to no recognition for their “deeds”, will receive the greatest rewards in heaven. The quiet but faithful prayer warrior who, if offered one million dollars, could never pray aloud in a prayer meeting, will one day be rewarded openly. Those whose charitable deeds are done because they love their Master and who receive satisfaction because God has given them the strength to serve Him, will one day hear the words of God, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.
God will “reward you openly,” before the angels and the saints in heaven. Those who will receive such rewards were not motivated by the rewards. They were motivated by the love of Christ, not out of a sense of debt, but because they loved Him who loved them.
Works cannot save us, but we are “saved
unto good works.” Works performed for self-gratification will not survive at
the Judgment Seat of Christ, and will be burned as if “wood, hay and stubble” (1
Cor