The Reward

Mark 12 And He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her need has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.

I hope I get to see this lady in heaven, before the rewards are handed out for righteousness. First of all, the fact that a holy, righteous God would reward us seems...unfair. But that's our God. Better than we deserve. Better than we can imagine. God does not reckon acts of righteousness or kindness or forgiveness as we do. He looks at our actions and the intent behind them.

I am thinking this morning of all the people who have partnered with us on this trip. For all the people that have prayed, sent emails, sent money, came to the dinners and listened to us tell of the need at Shevet Achim. And then have given to that need.

Do you know what you have done? You have invested in the kingdom. You have invested in the life of a child. A child that you do not know and probably never will. You have helped to promote peace between the sons and daughters of Isaac and Ishmael. You have helped to foster an environment of hospitality, where families are fed and loved, like Jesus loves. A giving, doing kind of love. You may think that you have done little but I wonder what Jesus thinks of your offering. Did He think that the widow did little? Was He embarrassed by how little she gave? NO. He called His disciples and said, look at my daughter! Look at her generosity! See how she trusts God to meet her needs! She gave it all up for a kingdom heritage!!!

Don't let Satan fool you. God takes what we have, sees the intent of our hearts, and does miracles with it.

I saw a story recently where an American had saved 600 Jewish immigrants during WWII. Out of those 600 are now 7,000 descendants. Joseph had a family of 75 persons in Egypt and some years later Moses led his descendants,an entire Hebrew nation,out of that land into a promised one.

There is a day coming for justice. For judgement. For all things to be settled between holy God and sinful man. And there is a day set aside for rewarding the righteous. That is who we are. The righteous redeemed. Amazing.

I hope I see the widow receive her reward. I hope to see you receive yours. When God says to each of you....Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter thou in to the joys of thy Lord.

Luke 12 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when He comes. Truly I say to you, He will dress Himself for service and have them recline at His table and He will come and serve them.

John 3 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

Matthew 26 Then the righteous will answer Him saying, Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and gave You a drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You? And the KING will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me....Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Amen? Amen.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in YOUR sight, my Lord.