Rewards in the kingdom of heaven are given to those who serve without thought of reward. There is no hint of merit here, for God gives out of grace, not debt. In Matthew 25:40, we read, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.”

This Scripture certainly confused listeners then, as it does today. When did I do something for you, Christ? I don’t understand. And what responsibility do I have, as a Christian, for meeting the needs of the poor?

Well, serving others is an important spiritual discipline that opens us up to the power of the Holy Spirit and enables us to be used by God. We are called to be an extension of Christ’s work, doing His work in His name. Serving our neighbor is not to gain reward but to live in response to the neighbor and serving out of love and in the name of Christ.

We are indeed blessed to be a blessing!