It Doesn’t Seem Right
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I preach notthe gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward.
1 Corinthians 9:16–17
There is a story of an old missionary who was returning home from Africa. He was on the same ship with President Teddy Roosevelt who had been in Africa for a big game hunt. When the ship docked in New York, great crowds greeted the president, but the old missionary and his wife walked off the ship unnoticed.
“It just doesn’t seem right,” said the missionary to his wife in a rather bitter tone. “We give our lives in Africa to win souls to Christ, and when we arrive home, there’s no reward or anyone to meet us. The president shoots some animals and gets a royal welcome.” As they were praying before they went to bed, the missionary sensed that the Lord was saying to him, “Do you know why you haven’t received your reward yet? Because you’re not home.”
That’s what Paul had in mind in his spiritual service. He didn’t want to receive superficial or temporal acclaim. He was willing to wait until he went home—his ultimate home—to receive what God had promised him. Are you willing to wait?
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 36). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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1 Corinthians 9:16–17
There is a story of an old missionary who was returning home from Africa. He was on the same ship with President Teddy Roosevelt who had been in Africa for a big game hunt. When the ship docked in New York, great crowds greeted the president, but the old missionary and his wife walked off the ship unnoticed.
“It just doesn’t seem right,” said the missionary to his wife in a rather bitter tone. “We give our lives in Africa to win souls to Christ, and when we arrive home, there’s no reward or anyone to meet us. The president shoots some animals and gets a royal welcome.” As they were praying before they went to bed, the missionary sensed that the Lord was saying to him, “Do you know why you haven’t received your reward yet? Because you’re not home.”
That’s what Paul had in mind in his spiritual service. He didn’t want to receive superficial or temporal acclaim. He was willing to wait until he went home—his ultimate home—to receive what God had promised him. Are you willing to wait?
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 36). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Listen to this entry
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