By Pastor Alex Ruelo
What’s in it for you if you trust in the Lord and do His will? It is but normal for people to ask what’s in it for them whenever they do something for others and even for themselves. It is ok to ask that question but when you ask God, it may seem embarrassing. What’s in it for you if you go to church and serve God? Psalms 37:3-7 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. (V. 3) - Anybody who trusts in the Lord must do good. Not doing so is hypocritical. Worrying is not trusting in the Lord. Taking advantage of people is not trusting the Lord. If you trust in Him 100%, you will prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire. (V. 4) - The word delight means to experience great pleasure in things and in people. Joy only happens when you know a person very well. It is the same with God. Sometimes, you think that you can fool God. You come to church and serve so that He will give you what you need and want. But if you truly delight in the Lord, He changes your heart and your heart’s desires. And you become contented with what God gives. No matter what it is. You will have the same desire as God’s.
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. (V. 5-6) - When you trust God and commit everything to Him, your awe in God will increase. You will not expect the blessings that you will receive because they are far more than what you asked for.
Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. (V. 7) - Surrender everything to God and wait for him to move. Do not act on your own and trust God with everything. Do not look at other people too. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:18 says, “Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.” Nothing in this earth lasts forever; but you have something that will last for eternity.
What more can you ask God and what more can He give you? What are you working for on this earth that can outlast God? How long are you going to live on this earth? A hundred years? You think about material things that will not last. But the inheritance of the Lord will live forever. What’s in it for you? Eternity.
Stop making a list. Matthew 6:4 says, “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything in private, will reward you.” The word “reward” is a repayment of everything that you have done on earth. You do not even have to ask “what’s in it for you.” God already said that He will repay you even more than what you worked for. God sees even when no one on earth sees.
Invest in eternity. How? When you start doing things for the kingdom, you transfer your wealth to heaven. When you serve the Lord without asking what’s in it for you, you are investing in eternity.
Count the cost. When Jesus was teaching, many people followed Him. Luke 14:28 says, ““But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” Following Him has a cost. It might be your friends, your family, material wealth or your reputation. How much are you willing to give? Can you give your whole life to Him?
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