Peter came to Jesus with a question which might have been asked by anyone of us today; Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
What's in it for me? This is the first thing which comes to our minds as we contemplate almost any undertaking. It has been said that man comes into the world with his hands clenching and grasping and usually leaves it the same way.
Materialism may not be the most admirable trait for human beings to have, but, let's face it, that's the way most human beings are. Jesus didn't rebuke Peter for posing the question. Instead he treated it as a legitimate inquiry. The answer as far as Peter and the other disciples were concerned was, You shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Capitalism has been successful in every nation which tries it because it satisfies the natural desire of man to seek a profit in all he does. While the ideal of Christian service is to commit without thought of personal reward, the fact is, we have been promised greatreward and that promise is precious to us. Even the Apostle Paul looked forward to payday! 2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
There are many kinds of riches. Concerning temporal wealth, Solomon stated, Prov 11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Recognizing that there are things more valuable than silver and gold he said, Prov 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
As one searches for the rewards for serving Christ, we must look beyond the idea of immediate material gain to something far more important. What advantage is a huge bank account to a person, if his life is miserable? Does it really matter if a person hasn't a penny to his name, if he has peace of mind and contentment? Who had the better and more enjoyable life, the millionaire who died alone in his bunker with his wealth piled around him, or the hermit with nothing as he contemplates to beauty of another sunset with a mind at ease? There is nothing wrong with money, but one must keep it in perspective. Paul expressed a great truth, 1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Tim 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The first thing we gain from our service to Christ is Peace and Contentment. The beauty of it is, we don't have to wait until the resurrection or some far off time in the future to begin reaping the profit from our service. At the same time Jesus invited his disciples to serve him, he made the promise that they would find peace in doing it. Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
There is a song we sometimes sing, "It pays to serve Jesus. It pays every day. It pays every step of the way." If this were all we might expect from our service to Him it would be sufficient to warrant our complete dedication. But this is only the beginning! We gain strength and joy as we fellowship with others who also walk in the light of His Word. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Fellowship means that we have brothers and sisters who can strengthen us and hold us up in prayer when we need extra strength. It means worshipping God and serving Him in a New Testament Church where we can be lifted up and be made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. All this is only scratching the surface of our present benefits of serving Him and we haven't even mentioned those rewards which await us at His coming!
Let us consider the blessing of prayer. We're not talking about the kind of prayer that's used like a fire extinguisher, 'for emergency only'. This is that daily communion with God that can add a dimension to our lives as nothing else can. It is a relationship and a communion which can occur ONLY as we serve Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Those who are saved but not serving Him can surely bring their problems to Him but there can be no real answer to those problems until His will is met. Only then, can prayer be the full fellowship with God that He intended it to be.
As we think upon the profit to be had from service, we want to look ahead too. Our present peace, contentment and fellowship with one another and with God is great for this present time but we will not always dwell in this present world. What then?
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
How can we lay up treasures in heaven? Paul told us how he did it. 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Many ideas have floated around as to the rewards for those who have pleased Him. Whatever else they might be, if we can but hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." we shall be well paid.
No one should serve Christ only for what he might get out of it. The basis for our service should be love. We love Him because he first loved us. His words were, "If you love me, keep my commandments," Paul taught us that the most thorough committal without love was meaningless. 1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1 Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
It pays to serve Jesus but in order that our service be accepted we need to be sure that all the requirements are met.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The first requirement is that one must be born again. Until one has been made alive to God through salvation, there is absolutely nothing he can do which will find favor in God's sight.
After salvation, one must obey the scriptures and follow the Lord in Scriptural baptist at the hands of a New Testament Church. Then He must serve according to the instructions of the Word. Sincerity on the part of the individual is not enough. 2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. One's service as well as his salvation MUST be in accordance with the Word of God.
What's in it for you? John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The super-abundant life in Christ awaits you but it can only be yours after you have the eternal life he now offers you.