Does obedience to God “pay off”?
Dec 15, 2011
The Raace for Grace - part twenty-six in a study of the book of Galatians
By Mike Gaduet
Does obedience to God “pay off”?
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10
It would be nice if putting God first allowed us to move to the front of every line we’re waiting in but this isn’t the case. When obedience doesn’t pay off we naturally wonder whether or not our sacrifices have been “in vain.” We begin to resent those who have gotten ahead even though they haven’t made the sacrifices we’ve made. We “become weary in doing good.”
It is natural for doubts to arise when we look around and see bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. The Bible contains numerous accounts of disillusioned believers who are ready to “give up.”
As the Old Testament of the Bible comes to a close some were saying, “It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.” Malachi 3:14-15
“Blessed are the arrogant.” When obedience doesn’t pay off immediately, this is an easy conclusion to draw. Jesus offers a different perspective.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10
When God’s eternal purposes are fulfilled, there will indeed be some who are “comforted” and “filled.” Some “will be shown mercy” and “will be called sons of God.”
However, the ones who “will see God” at that time are presently “those who mourn.” They are “the meek” and “the poor in spirit.” God does not reward faith with a “heaven on earth” existence. This isn’t heaven. It was never meant to be.
One day . . . God will switch the price tags. What is devalued here will be valued tin heaven. Those who are put down and left behind here will be lifted up and brought close there . . .”theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus exposed the foolishness of neglecting the eternal balance of our existence. He called into question the wisdom of living as if this earthly life is “all there is.” “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9:25
There’s a story about two farmers. One farmer expressed his devotion to God by not working on Sunday. His neighbor, wishing to expose this decision as foolish, worked extra hard that day. The farmer who refrained from labor believed that God would honor his decision by giving him a greater yield. When the crops were harvested, though, the neighbor who worked on Sunday had a bigger harvest. This neighbor submitted an editorial to the local paper stating that his greater yield proved that devotion to God was meaningless. A cascade of editorials, both pro and con, followed. One statement seemed to bring matters into perspective - “God doesn’t settle all His accounts in October.”
When we become “weary in doing good” God encourages us to continue to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
God assures us that, “at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”