Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
Life often has moments when it feels like no one notices the effort, sacrifice, or love we pour into others. The late nights, the quiet prayers, the acts of kindness that go unseen can leave us wondering if what we do really matters. But what if I told you there’s an audience of one who has never missed a thing? Someone who sees every sacrifice, every act of love, and every single moment of faithfulness you’ve shown? Scripture reminds us that God is not unjust – He does not overlook the work of His children or the love they show in His name. The Bible assures us that even when people fail to recognise or appreciate our labour, heaven keeps a perfect record. This article explores what it means to serve with the confidence that our labour in the Lord is never, ever in vain.
Hebrews 6:10-12 (NIV) says, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realised. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Sometimes you can serve others and be a blessing to them, yet they may remain ungrateful. For instance, you might raise your children, and when they reach their teenage years, they may not appreciate the time and effort you’ve invested in their care or recognise how far you’ve helped them grow. They may enter a phase where they seem ungrateful and fail to recognise all that you’ve done for them as a parent.
No matter where you are in life, we all experience moments when we give our all to someone or something we believe in, yet feel that our efforts aren’t reciprocated. Others may not appreciate or even acknowledge what we do. However, the message is clear: don’t worry if people don’t see or value your contributions. Don’t allow that to diminish your love and your willingness to serve. Keep loving, keep serving, and keep being a blessing. Remember, God sees everything you do. At the end of the day, the Bible reminds us that whatever we do, we do it as unto the Lord. Always remember that even when you feel alone or unappreciated, you are not invisible to God. He sees your efforts, acknowledges your struggles, and celebrates you for all that you do.
You are important to God; He sees your efforts and will reward you if you do not lose heart. Your work is never in vain. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1Corinthians 15:58). Even the naked you clothed, the hungry you fed, the prisoner you visited, if they forget what you did, God will never forget you. You are important to Him. “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40). Whatever we do for others, we do it for the Lord. Every time we help our brothers and sisters, especially those in dire need, God appreciates our actions. The least among us, those on the margins, and the poor who are helpless and powerless are all God’s people, and He will reward us for our assistance to them.
Have you helped people in your community? When someone was hungry or thirsty, did you take the time to share food and water to satisfy their needs? When someone was without clothes, did you provide them with clothing? When a person was sick or in prison, did you make an effort to visit and support them during their time of suffering and despair? When someone was in need of assistance, did you open your heart and hands to help the prisoners, the homeless, and those who are struggling? For “whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me,” says the Lord Jesus.
" You are important to God; He sees your efforts and will reward you if you do not lose heart. Your work is never in vain. "
We have a responsibility to live a life that exemplifies the fact that we have a relationship with Jesus. That’s why He said, “I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Mathew 25:36-40).
“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
Jesus teaches that even the smallest acts of kindness, like giving a cup of cold water, will be rewarded. This means that it’s not just the big contributions that matter; even the smallest gestures are noticed by God. Whatever talents or resources you have, if you use them to bless someone else, God promises that you will not lose your reward. This highlights an important point: you can lose a reward by not using the grace and gifts God has given you. If you fail to make use of what you have been entrusted with, like the servant who returned with only one talent, you risk losing your reward. That servant did nothing with the talent he received, and as a result, he lost his opportunity for reward.
God has given you grace, and if you use that grace, you will be rewarded. Take note of the words of the Apostle Paul, as recorded in Acts 20:24, regarding life’s worth: “But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus”. The Apostle Paul devoted himself to sharing the Good News about the incredible grace of God. The mission assigned to him by Jesus was to spread the gospel. He expressed his commitment to live and die for this purpose, prioritising the fulfilment of this mission over his own life or circumstances. Paul placed immense value on his calling to convey the message of God’s grace, believing that his own existence was meaningful only in service to this divine mission.
At the end of his life, he knew he had finished the race and would be rewarded. The Apostle Paul reflected on his life in his final days, saying: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). He approached his impending death with confidence, knowing that he would receive a “crown of righteousness” from God for remaining faithful until the end. He envisioned the day he would stand before the King of kings and be awarded this “crown of righteousness.” This belief is one of the essential keys to living a victorious Christian life.
Paul wanted to let us know that this “crown of righteousness” wasn’t for him alone. He stated, “Not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing.” All believers who love the Lord have crowns of righteousness waiting for them too. Live a life that pleases God, and God will reward you.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). That’s a great reward.
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).
