Some of the most important sacrifices we make as Christians are simply the results of walking through our lives as led by God’s Holy Spirit. Some of the best opportunities we have to serve Christ come about simply because we are living our daily lives in tune with his leadership.
Each day we see people we can share something with. They might need our help in a significant way, but usually it’s just providing the help someone needs at any given moment. God gives us chances every day to “do good” in some way. You might hold the door for an older person and allow them to go ahead of you in a line. You might stop to pick up something a person has dropped and return it to them. If you find yourself in a conversation with someone, you can ask God for his words to speak to them.
Sometimes “sharing what we have” is a financial decision, but often it’s just the decision to care about another person ahead of our own agendas. A tired mom in the store might need a word of encouragement or just a smile from another mom who gets it. Someone might be running late and need to push ahead to stay on time. We can get angry, feel slighted, or offer grace instead of criticism. Truthfully, we have all been that stressed, tired, or frantic person at some point.
The author of Hebrews said we shouldn’t “neglect” our opportunities to do good in this world, sharing what we have and living with the attitudes, choices, and compassion that honor Christ and please the Lord.
Most of the rewards we receive in heaven won’t be for what we perceive to be significant or great. Instead, the vast majority of our heavenly reward will be earned by living our daily lives in such a way that we please God. Pleasing God is wisdom. What opportunities will the Lord give you tomorrow to serve others and wisely please God? Live aware, live for God, and live for his good pleasure.
