Mt 20:16, 25-28 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. LESSON - Why do you do what you do? As I examine my own heart, I realize so often that my motives are selfish. Even in my service of the Lord, I must be careful not to act as if I’m doing God a favor. An “other’s first” mentality is so foreign in our current culture, but that’s what God requires of us. You cannot be self-seeking and please the Lord. Even in the service of others, your motives must be to truly encourage them and glorify God in the process. Any ulterior motive for acceptance and favor has at it’s core a desire for self-promotion just like James and John illustrated in the verses leading up to this passage. Fight the urge of the flesh to always put yourself first by pushing God and others to the front of the stage. The service we render to God and others with right motives will one day be rewarded. I personally believe that the individual who will be rewarded highest in Heaven will not be renowned. They will more than likely be the one spoken of in Mt 6:3 “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” O Lord, help me be that man!!
~Mike
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