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It's All A Part of Your Gift
It's All A Part of Your Gift
I don't know the number of times I have thought about the story that appeared in the Guideposts magazine. Many think about this story at Christmas time. But really, it fits any time of the year.
The story takes place in Africa about 30 miles from the coast. The man writing the story is a Peace Corps worker teaching English in a school in the village. He is a very kind and gentle person, and the pupils love this man because he genuinely cares about them.
On Christmas Day, the teacher hears a knock on his door, and when he opens it, there stands one of his students, and he knows this boy lives on the coast about 30 miles away.
The student wishes the teacher a Merry Christmas and hands him a beautiful shell from the beaches near his home. Astonished, the teacher admires the delicate shell; then he says to the student: "But you have walked 30 miles to give this gift to me. "And to that, the boy replies: "But teacher, long walk is part of the gift!"
When you think about your work and service to the church, do you ever think it is so small no one sees or notices the things you are doing for the cause of Christ? Make no mistake; every act of service is needed. The things you are doing allows others to do the work they are doing. There is no act of service that is small in the sight of God; He sees all.
Jesus makes it clear; it is our attitude that makes all the difference, instead of our act of service, rather great or small.
In the case of the widow, Jesus said this recorded in Luke 21:1-4, "And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."
Again, in Matthew 10:42, Jesus makes the point, "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."
Then in Mathew 25:40,"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."
A couple of coins, a cup of water, or a piece of bread; yes, all seemingly very small acts of service and kindness, but not unnoticed by our Savior. I have no idea what opportunities of service you have, large or small. But I know this all are needed!
Just as in the account of the giving of the seashell, by the student, to his teacher, the "Long walk part of gift." Let us recognize that our every action is service to God is needed. Let me note just two verses regarding His promises to us regarding our service to Him.
I Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
Day-by-Day Let Us Work Together to His Glory
