there are many times that it comes to my mind when people compare. how much are you serving? how much are you earning? how much bible study are you doing? how high a level have you reached? wah.. this person is so keng. he can do this. he can do so many things. he is serving in so many areas. he has so much acheivements. he is earning this much. his prospects are so good. he has climb these heights. he is serving in so many ministries.
money and acheivements are so commonly used as a measuring denominator for people/individuals that we even speak it without realising that we are actually stressing upon material stuff. how much is this guy worth? $15 million networth... etc...
now this is not to condemn people working hard and making money. God rewards the man according to the work of his arm. but then again, is that the measurement?
in my thoughts, i am stopped by the article on my church bulletin last sunday. and i truly pray that God hold me in my insecurities when people make measurements and comparisons.
i don't want to be compared to others. i don't want to be made a point of measurement either (and have people trying to pull me down or just waiting for me to fall). i want to be able to live for God. of course, making sure i'm doing my best with what's given. and knowing whether i have $1 or $1 000 000, it does not make a difference if i have been serving God and living for Him. its a weird thing how our own Christian brothers and sisters look down on those who have sacrificed to serve. (even christian brothers and sisters look down on each other. but that's a different topic about humility)
His Work Will Be Shown For What It Is
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
True servants of God aren't motivated by adulation or a large following. they honestly want to build Christ's church. and they build on the one true foundation, Jesus Christ. they keep the focus of their followers on Jesus, not on themselves. not even on their vision of a Christian Disneyland, or of the largest church building in the U.S., or of the biggest radio or TV following.
Paul knew that his accomplishments would be evaluated one day on just this basis. was he working to promote Jesus or himself? when Judgement Day comes, the "quality of each man's work" will be revealed (v.13).
knowing this, what do we care how other people evaluate our service for Jesus? what do we care even for "success", or the praise of others? the only true success is in serving Jesus and His people well. the only reward we seek is Christ's, when our service for Him is judged at the last day (v.13).
From The 365 Day Devitional Commentary by Lawrence O.Richards
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