No servant should accept gratitude for what he has done in the Lord's service, for he is only fulfilling his duty. Those who seek personal recognition will receive nothing from Heaven: Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6.2).

It is not wrong, for example, for a restaurant owner to expect the cook to make good food and serve it with refinement, if that was the agreed service. After all, the person responsible for the meal is paid to perform the duties established in the employment contract, signed by both parties. The agreement may be written or verbal, and failure to comply with it is considered negligence, punishable by dismissal for just cause.

The employer has the right to demand that the meal be prepared in a certain way, using ingredients purchased under his authorization. We were “hired” by the Lord to give the world the Bread of Heaven. Therefore, we must devote time to preparing what we will convey to the people, after first being instructed by God. Never minister what you see fit, because the Kingdom of Heaven is organized, and what is announced must come from the Most High.

An example of this occurred when Jesus spoke to the Jews who did not believe in Him: For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  (John 12:49). The Bible is the written Word of God, containing everything we need to know until the final moments of our lives. Because He is omniscient and all-knowing, the Lord has revealed to us what is essential.

Returning to our position as servants of God, chosen by Him for the important mission of living in a dignified and rewarding way, we remember the Savior's statement: For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:41). Obeying God brings reward!

Shall we prepare supper to feed those who hunger for the Truth? Jesus said that we will be rewarded even for giving a cup of water in His Name. This means that He sends to us those to whom we should give a single sip of Holy Scripture. To offer the Word to someone in need of the heavenly message, we need to be dressed appropriately: in communion with the Father.

Clothing ourselves with the Lord's anointing and serving Him are attitudes that will please Him, for we will be obeying the Scriptures. Then, in private, we must offer a service of thanksgiving and partake of the same food He gave us to offer to His people. Jesus used parables wisely, so that we may fully benefit from His anointing!

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares