Working to Gain Heavenly Treasure: A Devotion for Older Kids

Hello Friends,

Well, did you go on any treasure hunts for Jesus last week after we talked about having treasure in heaven? If you did, what did you find? What did you uncover?

I hope you are doing well. Only one more weekend until school officially starts! Are you ready? I always enjoyed going back-to-school shopping: filling my new backpack with fresh boxes of crayons, markers, and colored pencils, labeling and color coordinating my folders and notebooks, and making sure my new shoes were ready to go. On the first day of school, my backpack was full and heavy, but I was excited to see all my friends again. So, are you ready for school to start?

For today’s lesson, I want to share with you a devotion written by Kristin Highley. Kristin is a contributor for Ministry to Children. In this devotion–which is written for older kids and adults–Kristin encourages us to think about why we do certain things. Do we do things for some sort of reward, benefit, or acknowledgement? Do we do things because that is what we have been taught to do? Do we do things simply because? When we do something, what is our intent of doing that thing? Kristin explores these questions and then relates our doings to working to gain heavenly treasure. I hope you enjoy this devotion!

“What’s in it for me? This is a refrain often repeated and wondered in our modern culture. As Christian workers, we know that our reward may not be measurable here on earth. However, in the practicality of daily living and in the simple state of being human, we also tend to be concerned with receiving proper credit and compensation for the things that we do. Will people know whose hand designed the T-shirt graphic or drew the Sunday school logo? Is there any sort of stipend for all of that Sunday School teaching and curriculum development? Why bother if we don’t see some sort of kick-back?

“At times even the most devout and dedicated must pause and consider just what or who it is that we work for. Much of the work that we wind up doing related to ministry is voluntary, and it is that work that enables churches and ministries to thrive. However, when Sunday School numbers are low or meetings and boards discourage our efforts, we can sometimes question our work in Christian service. Why bother? Is it really worth it?

“Well, we might not know the answer to that, at least not right now. It all depends upon how we look at things…if we look to the Word of God for natural motivation, it’s easy to predict how God feels about our compensation for the Kingdom.

“Consider the words of the gospel of Matthew 6:1-4, 21: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“

“It is natural to want credit or reward for our actions and the things that we do. It is always wonderful to be appreciated. But Jesus warns against doing things for a reward. We might be the unsung heroes. Maybe we are not up in front of the congregation or speaking to hundreds or dozens. Perhaps we only work with a small group of children or youth. Is it worth it for two or three? Well, Jesus also assures that each and every person is precious, and when we serve others we serve him.

Matthew 25:40 shares, The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Our work ultimately goes back to the source of motivation. For what do we do what we do? If we are seeking attention or earthly gain, it is easy to grow disappointed or frustrated. Teaching Sunday School or leading groups is only a drudge if we expect it to be, if our attitude is that of punching a time clock and expecting something in return. What if we alter that perspective?

“Consider hobbies or passions. We don’t expect recompense for following football teams or fixing old cars or mountain biking. We pay for classes in yoga or cupcake decoration and rarely think of receiving anything bounce back monetarily. We raise children and form families with tremendous sacrifice and without seeing a dollar sign return. So why do we do it? For love. Why do we work with a church and serve children? It must be for the same reason: love, devotion, passion, energy. We are influencing the future and each life we invest in will be blessed…if we place our work first and foremost in the hands of the Father, allowing every breath and movement and hope to be in Him and through Him, for Him and to Him.”

So, why do you do what you do?

Let us pray: Dear Jesus, guide our heart to do things with you in mind. Help us to not do things with a mindset of being rewarded with earthly things but to be rewarded with heavenly things. Nurture our spirit in such a way that what we do we do with love, devotion, passion, and because that is what you would do. Amen.

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Devotion found at https://ministry-to-children.com/working-to-gain-heavenly-treasure/