GOD OFFERS REWARDS

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12). "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets" (Luke 6:23).

Devotion 10 of 12

REWARDED PUBLICLY

Much of the benevolent activities of believers are accomplished in secret. The truly godly do not draw attention to their philanthropic work and piety. They are not interest in the applause of men. Rather, they seek, and shall have, the praise of God. Give heed to the words of Jesus on this matter. "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:3-4). Not letting our right hand know what our left hand does involves giving supremacy to the one profiting from our alms, rather than the fact that we have given the alms. The reason why we may avoid seeking recognition among men is that we will receive due recognition from God. It will be awarded publicly, and in keeping with the true value of our gifts.

The same principle applies to prayer. This is not a means of gaining recognition from men; but due recognition will be given to those making their requests known thereby. "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:6). Notice the strong appeal to us to pray with proper motives and with the spirit of expectation.

Deep devotion to God is never viewed as a means of appropriating human recognition. Fasting is one such activity, often sounded as a trait of personal excellence. Jesus spoke of the individual who referred to his own fasting as proof that he was better than others (Luke 18:12). "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:17-18). Fasting is commendable, but you must be willing to wait for the Lord to commend you for it.

The public recognition of believers is taught several places in Scripture. Jesus said that those confessing Him before men would be confessed by Him before the Father and the angels of God (Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8). God will "praise" His faithful stewards before an assembled universe (1 Cor. 4:5). Rewards will be public! Until they are handed out, so to speak, you may have to labor in relative obscurity. Think nothing of it.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for the anticipation of proper recognition. In the name of Christ, I seek for grace to live in view of that time, and not for the present.

-- TOMORROW: NOT GENERAL, BUT SPECIFIC --