INTRODUCTION

There is a common misconception that carnal motives yield no rewards. Careful study will prove these motives can and do still receive rewards, but from a temporal source. While it is true that improper motives erase rewards from the Lord (Matthew 6:1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
See All...), they do not keep men from receiving rewards or recognition from other men (Matthew 6:2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
See All..., 5, 16). One must choose his reward. Would he rather receive eternal reward from God the Father, or temporary praise and recognition from his peers? If a man’s motive for giving is to be seen of men, he will make sure to accomplish his desire and will likely be praised of the same, but in doing so, he will lose the recognition of the Father.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) God's followers called themselves servants (Romans 1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
  See All..., James 1:1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
  See All...; 2 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
  See All..., Jude 1:1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
  See All...). Paul wrote how a servant should serve and why (Colossians 3:22-24 [22] Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; [23] And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; [24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
  See All...). Some serve for the wrong reasons (Matthew 23:5-7 [5] But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, [6] And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, [7] And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
  See All...; John 12:42-43 [42] Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: [43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
  See All...).
• What kind of rewards do you want to receive for your labours? From whom would you like to receive these rewards? How should this change your motives?
• Why do you read your Bible? Why do you pray? Why do you go to church? Why do you witness to the lost? How will this affect your rewards at the judgment seat of Christ?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you discern the nature of your motives.
• Ask God to help you do things for His name’s sake.

HYMN

Little Is Much When God Is in It

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