An Abounding Harvest

December 11

It is the nature of man to desire some acknowledgement, if not reward, for the labor upon which he expends himself. Whether the work that is done is tedious and frustrating or stimulating and challenging, it is worthwhile in the end if there is some recognition, if just a simple, ‘Thank you,’ from those who have benefited from it.

Often, however, there are no thanks given at the conclusion of a task. It is an unfortunate reality of the nature of man that diligent effort often goes unnoticed, but one certain way to gain the attention of the people round about, is to perform a colossal blunder!

To gain a reward, therefore, is not a sure thing—except in the spiritual realm. The God we serve, the One in whose harvest field we labor to reap souls for the Kingdom of Christ, is mindful of the labor of love that we perform. It is not that our goal is to attain recognition. Rather, it is our hearts’ longing to see many lost souls brought from darkness to the Light of Christ.

Many missionaries leave the comfort of home and the love of family and friends to travel to far-flung corners of the earth so the gospel message can be shared with those who have not been privileged to hear, following Christ’s admonition to, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15.

Why would anyone do that? It is because he takes seriously the following verse, Mark 16:16, “…for he who hears and believes will be saved but he who rejects the truth will be lost.” For the sake of one lost soul that might hear the truth and live, a missionary will leave all that is precious to him that he might endeavor to achieve what is precious to God—the salvation of the lost.

And as a by-product of his labor of love for the Savior he is promised a reward. Hebrews 6:10 states very clearly that, “He will not forget your work and the love you show for His name when you continually serve the saints.”

Because He loves us, it is His desire to reward our service in the behalf of His Kingdom and His people. The believer who spends himself on the gospel of Christ will reap an abounding harvest (see Mark 10:29, 31).