God weighs my motives when I give. Am I giving just to get something? Am I giving grudgingly? Am I giving to impress someone? Or am I planting a seed expecting a harvest later?

Mark 10:30, “But he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.”

New American Standard Bible

Persecution? That is not something I like to see on the list! But even those who give everything to share the love of Jesus Christ will endure persecutions. The ultimate reward for us all is eternal life.

“And having secured the approval of our hearts by a faithful and unwearied discharge of our duty…let us joyfully leave our concerns in the hands of Him who raiseth up and pulleth down the empires and kingdoms of the world as He pleases.”

John Hancock, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Louie R. Heller, early American Orations 1760-1824 (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1902), pp. 48-49, John Hancock’s Oration on the Boston Massacre, March 5, 1774

A faithful and unwearied discharge of my duty will secure the approval of my heart.

A servant will become great, and a slave to all will become first. Just as Christ came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many, Mark 10:42-45.

“But remember, my dear friend, that ‘none liveth to himself’ (Romans 14:7). Even our old age is not our property. All its fruits of wisdom and experience belong to the public. ‘To do good’ is the business of life. ‘To enjoy rest’ is the happiness of Heaven. We pluck premature for forbidden fruit when we grasp at rest on this side the grave.”

Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration
‘Letters of Benjamin Rush,’ ed. L. H. Butterfield (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1951), Vol. I, pp. 478-479, to John Dickinson on July 15, 1788.

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“Understandably, the Founding Fathers would have very much preferred to live their lives quietly secluded with their own families…

George Washington…as a young man…called away from his home…to lead…in the French and Indian War.

…Years later…called on him to serve them in the Continental Congress, …he was chosen to lead all military forces in the American Revolution.

…He was called out of retirement to head a convention that produced the U. S. Constitution…

…Once more called him from retirement to lead the new government…”

The Founder’s bible, The Origin of the Dream of Freedom, pp. 1526-1527

Our Founding Fathers understood duty and service. They didn’t sit on their laurels but shared their wisdom and experience when called. Their objective was to do good and please their Heavenly Father. How can I do less?

Proverbs 20:5, “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.”

New American Standard Bible

Dear Merciful God, draw me closer to you. Heal my country. Show me what I should do. Amen.

Daniel 9:18, “Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.”

New International Version

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