Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Set – Job 38; 1 Corinthians 4
Go! – Job 38; 1 Corinthians 4-6
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1 Rather than power brokers, think of us as servants of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, caretakers of the mysteries of God. 2 Because we are in this particular role, it is especially important that we are people of fidelity and integrity. 3 It makes little difference to me how you or any human court passes judgment on me. I even resist the temptation to compare myself to the ever-changing human standard. 4 Although I am not aware of any flaw that might exclude me from this divine service, that’s not the reason I stand acquitted—the only supreme judge, our Lord, will examine me in the proper time. 5 So resist the temptation to act as judges before all the evidence is in. When the Lord comes, He will draw our buried motives, thoughts, and deeds (even things we don’t know or admit to ourselves) out of the dark shadows of our hearts into His light. When this happens, the voice of God will speak to each of us the only praise that will ever matter.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
I asked you yesterday why you go to church. Today I want to ask you another question. Why do you do good things for other people? Look deep inside you and answer the question honestly. Do you do it because it makes you feel good? It should make you feel good. That’s a great motive for doing good for others. One of the best ways to get out of the mully-grubs is to do something nice for someone else expecting nothing in return. I made you that way. I made you to enjoy doing good for others, so you will experience that warm feeling that puts a smile on your face when you perform acts of kindness for others.
Maybe you do good expecting something in return. It’s not the good feeling you expect, though. You’re looking for something in return. You want to barter good for good. Maybe you’re hoping the good you receive is more than the good you get. You’re looking for a profit in good deeds. That’s not the way to go about life. But some people go about doing good for just that reason. I’ll bake you a cake if you’ll invite me to dinner. I’ll mow your yard if you’ll paint my house. Get the idea? That’s how too many of you go about your business of doing good works. There’s this hidden barter system you’re looking for. That’s not in My plan of doing good for others. Just do good because it’s the right thing to do without expecting anything in return.
Maybe you figured out that you might not get anything back for doing good but you do it because you heard Me tell you to do it. Well, you’re getting closer to the right reason for doing good for others, but you’ll resent them or Me if that’s the reason you’re doing good for others. You’ll see your acts of kindness as tasks to perform instead of acts of love and servanthood to your fellow man. Eventually you’ll just stop doing things for others because you’ll burn out. There will be no joy in your efforts and you’ll stop either because of your anger toward those receiving your service or your anger at Me.
My hope for you, however, is that you’ll learn the secret Paul talks about. He discovered the joy of serving Me. The things you do for others is not really about doing things for them after all. It’s about doing them for Me. You do things to them on My behalf. You’re serving Me when you serve them. So serve Me. Don’t expect anything from those on earth you serve because it’s not them you’re serving. It’s Me you’re serving so they don’t owe you anything. You’re not doing anything for them in the first place, you’re doing it for Me. That’s the attitude I want you to have.
Then you can think about the rewards you might get in return if you want to. You shouldn’t. I’ve already given you life and when you serve Me diligently you gain life eternally and life abundantly. What more do you want? But if you want to think beyond that, how about that next breath? Or your next heartbeat? What about the food you eat and the water you drink? Maybe you want to think about your brothers and sisters in Me that come along beside you in your times of need. Think about the blessings that come your way day after day. Do you need more reward for serving Me? What about the sins for which I went the cross for you? Is that enough? Hmmm…
Remember, your service to others is really service to Me. How much do you want to do for Me? What if I want you to pass it along to others? Well, I really don’t need your help, but they do. How about a little service, please? I’ll enjoy watching it.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.