Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Nothing seems more logical
to men than that they should be paid for any work that they
perform. In fact, this very concept is
both scriptural and is at the heart of our free enterprise
system. The laborer is worthy of his reward. The Lord has made
it plain that he expects no one to serve him for nothing. One
thing that is certain is that the Lord will reward those that
belong to him. Yet in the parable of the workers
in the vineyard, he sets forth a completely different set of
principles upon which he is pleased to reward his people and correct
some of the errors which the flesh is prone to indulge in
concerning this reward. His reward is not based on the
effort of the laborer nor the amount of time spent in his service. In scriptural terms, it is a
reward not reckoned of debt, but of grace. The emphasis that
he places on the reward given is the fact that those who labored
the least received the same as those who labored the most. Now,
the flesh recalls such an idea as we see the early laborers
upset because they did not receive more. No one was defrauded by
the goodness of the vinekeeper, but his grace was magnified because
he gave more than was deserved or expected to those who came
late. Are we not all latecomers? What could we ever do to deserve
even one day in the presence of our God? Is it not of His
goodness and grace alone that we have any claim to eternal
life? When we come to the place of understanding that we deserve
nothing but destruction, then we can appreciate even the crumbs
that fall from the Master's table, and our perspective of service
changes from duty to privilege. His reward is greater than the
service rendered. Those who came late didn't deserve
what they received. The grace of our Lord is beyond
our understanding. His goodness is immeasurable
and His mercy is everlasting. The preachers of dead religion
try to motivate men to serve God by promising them earthly
and heavenly rewards. They appeal to the desire of
the flesh for recognition and wealth to stimulate the dead
to follow the Lord. They tell men that by being faithful,
winning souls, or performing sacrificial acts of giving their
time and money, they will earn blessings here and add wealth
to their heavenly treasure chest above. Those who serve Christ
for rewards are like those that followed Him for the fish and
loaves. They soon grow weary and walk no more with Him, or
murmur that the effort is too great for the payment received.
His reward is viewed as a treasure not earned by those who know
themselves to be unworthy. Those that came late were not
in a position to bargain for what they would be paid. They
depended on the goodness of the vinekeeper. They were not disappointed
with what they received because they knew it was only because
of the kindness of the vinekeeper that they were given the privilege
to work in the vineyard. When a sinner is brought out
of darkness into light, he learns the value of eternal life. Those
who have not seen the glory of Christ do not comprehend what
a priceless treasure it is to be given the privilege to become
the sons of God. The redeemed, however, are overwhelmed
with gladness, and it becomes their joy to serve their Father,
regardless of the reward. In fact, their thoughts are so
far removed from what they will be paid for that service that
they can testify with Job, though he slay me, yet will I trust
in him. They can also agree with Peter
who said, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of
eternal life. We are called to serve Him not
for what we can obtain, but because we are sons. I remember as a
young boy in church being constantly exhorted to serve the Lord for
rewards, yet no reward ever seemed grand enough to stir me up to
follow Him. Now that He has awakened me from
the sleep of death and called me by His grace, no service I
could ever render seems worthy of that calling. I am no longer
stimulated by the song, Will there be any stars in my crown?
Rather, I am more concerned that I might bring shame to him who
called me, and after I have preached to others, I myself should be
a reprobate. Therefore let us look unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. What greater reward
can there be? Do you serve the Lord for rewards,
or is your reward being called by His grace, and given the privilege
of serving Him who paid the price of your redemption with His own
blood? He alone is worthy of praise.
And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and
not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the
reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. For
a free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email
to forthepoor at windstream.net.