"His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: You were faithful over a few things, will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25.21

An important lesson is taught in this story which I found in the "The Evangel". A writer for a great newspaper once visited India. While there he met a missionary nurse who lived among the lepers and ministered to their needs. He noticed how tender and loving she was to those poor souls. Looking at her in amazement, the reporter commented, "I wouldn't wash their wounds for a million dollars!"

"Neither would I", said the Christian worker, "But I'd gladly do it for my Saviour. The only reward I am looking for is His smile of approval!" The driving force in her service for others was a deep longing to please her Lord. She wanted His word of commendation more than anything else. Her whole life was governed by the desire to hear His "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Recently I came across this question, "would you do for gold what you would not do for God?" What does this mean? The answer is clear. If you are not attending prayer services now, would you do so if you were paid for it? Would you witness for Christ more zealously if you were given some monetary compensation for your efforts? Would your contributions to the work of Christ be more generous if such "investments" brought guaranteed financial return? If these questions disturb you because they call for a reluctant "yes", it is apparent that you are more willing to do something for gold than for God!

Because of our sincere desire to please Him first and foremost, may it always be said of us that we are truly serving the Lord.

There is many a thing / would not do for gold or worldly pelf;
Yet to bring glory to my Lord, I gladly die to self With heart a glow with love for Him who did so much for me,
Offer now with zeal and tears my service warm and free.

-Bosch

A man who serves God for money is spiritually bankrupt.