What does a picture of a nicely set table have to do with a picture of a Hurricane Katrina ravaged house? These are pictures of two projects I had been blessed to work on in the year 2006. Both projects involved working with the same friend. Last July, she and I joined others from church to gut some homes and bring the gospel to a hurting city recovering from the deadly hurricane. Last weekend, we set a Christmas table for a dinner and concert for friends at our church. Isn't it amazing the variety of things you can do for God? Another gal I met on the Katrina trip in July, went back to New Orleans in October. She enjoyed serving so much she now teaches Sunday School to 1st graders and has recently delivered Christmas trees and presents to families in Chicago's Caprini Green area. In our discussion about these projects last sunday, we noted how much more joy one receives in giving than receiving. Paul noted this in Acts 20:35 "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." We were created to serve. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." When we serve God from the heart, the focus is off of ourselves and on God and his people. Jesus, the King of Kings, said this: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 I know of a couple who currently serve in Ghana, Africa. She is a medical doctor who gave up her practice to serve at a Christian children's center. He is an engineer and gave up his career as well. This couple did not have any children of their own, but were close to their families and had these thriving careers. They also saw and clearly understood the valueable work of God and their calling to be involved in this way. Leaving it all behind, they now serve in this lively African community. When they come home for a visit, they can't wait to return. After serving there for a few years, they were suddenly blessed with a child of their own. Something they never imagined would happen! That you can't outgive God, is such a true statement! Another young couple I know from the Katrina trip, has left their families, job, and the comfort of what they know to serve in an area they don't know, on a long term assignment in New Orleans. They also are blessed in many ways! God's blessings, visible or invisible, will overflow when you are in his will. Jesus taught us that we would be rewarded: "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42, "For the son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." Matthew 16:27 Though we are rewarded, and this is a motivation tool, let us not forget this: "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in haven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hyypocrites do in the synaggues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4 This doesn't mean you can't talk about your service to God with others. Rather, it means not to boast about it to one another looking for praise and honor from those to whom you tell. Better to get praise and honor from God because we do his work for his glory. We will share in that glory which far outweighs man's dull "glory". So...with the year 2007 approaching, may we prayerfully consider how we will serve him wholeheartedly with joy for His glory that we may speak like Paul, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24
