Glitzy Gifts and People Pleased

 

“My Father will honor the one who serves me.” –John 12:26b (NIV)

 

The New York Post reported that producers of the 2002 Grammy ceremony showered each of the show’s stars with a personalized gift basket worth at least $16,000! For example, Britney Spears got a pair of $1,900 diamond earrings, a Blackberry pager, an iPod MP3 player, a free two-night stay in the Ian Schrager hotel of her choice, and some Tic Tac mints. Janet Jackson and the guys of ‘N Sync all received a one-year bi- coastal membership to Sports Club/L.A. (a $4,500 value) and a personalized bust of themselves. The other stars also got glitzy gift baskets.

 

Some years earlier, a famous pianist gave a concert in a renowned concert hall. When he finished, everyone gave him a rousing standing ovation. Well, almost everyone. There was an old man in the front row that didn’t stand or cheer. The pianist began crying when he walked off the stage. His manager asked him what was wrong, to which he replied, “Didn’t you see the man in the front row that wasn’t standing or applauding?” The manager said, “Sure, I saw him. But he was the only one person in the whole place!” The pianist hung his head and said, “You don’t understand.  That man was the composer of the music I played tonight. He is the only one who counts. He’s the only one who knows what the piece is supposed to sound like.”

 

When some Christians serve, they hunger for the overflowing “gift baskets” of this world and the roaring cheers of the crowd.

 

That’s  how  they  measure  their  success  and  derive  their satisfaction. Frankly, they’re thinking way too small! If Grammy Award stars are honored so extravagantly for entertaining, can you imagine the reward for those who use their talents for eternal matters? And if the applause of the crowds is encouraging, how much more heartening is the applause of the One who made the crowds?

 

Scripture is clear: we should wholeheartedly seek to please God, covet His applause, and eagerly await His reward. Glitzy gifts and people pleased feel good for a moment. But they just don’t compare with God saying to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in  charge  of  many  things.  Come  and  share  your  master’s happiness!” (Matt 25:21, 23; cf. 3:17; John 5:30).

 

For Discussion: Talk about how these verses have or should affect your ministry actions and attitudes: Matt 6:1-6; 2 Cor 5:9-10; Gal 1:10; Col 3:24; 1 Thess 2:4-6a; Rev 22:12. (Time and interest permitting, continue with Matt 5:12; 16:27; 25:14-30; 1 Cor 3:7-15; 2 John 8.)