REAPING WHAT YOU SOW

You may recall from an earlier post that the Apostle

Paul wrote the Philippians Epistle around A.D. 61.

while in prison at Rome.

As you can imagine scholars do not agree on Pauls

age at death.  But it is estimated that he was about

60 to 68 years old when he died.

So we have Paul in prison at Rome as an old man

probably facing his execution when he writes;

"For to me, living means living for Christ,

and dying is even better.  But if I live, I can

do more fruitful work for Christ.  So I

really don't know which is better.  I'm torn

between two desires: I long to go and be

with Christ,  which would  be far better for

me.  But for your sakes, it is better that I

continue to live."  

(Philippians 1:21 - 23 NLT)

Why would he "long to go and be with Christ,

which would be far better for me."?

Real simple.

Paul knows that we do not receive our rewards for

serving Christ until we die and leave this old world.

However,

he also knows that the longer he serves Christ here

on earth, the greater the reward.  You know, the 

more service, the more reward.  

Even Jesus Christ himself said;

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to

one of the least of my followers, you will surely

be rewarded."  

(Matthew 10:42 NLT)

Two other references Paul makes about this thing

of serving Christ.  One from his Epistle to the 

Churches of Galatia and the other from the Epistle

to the Church at Corinth.

"Don't be misled - you cannot mock the 

justice of God.  You will always harvest what

you plant.  Those who live only to satisfy their

own sinful nature will harvest decay and death

from that sinful nature.  But those who live to

please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life

from the Spirit."   

(Galatians 6:7,8 NLT)

And

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong

and immovable.  Always work enthusiastically

for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do

for the Lord is ever useless."  

(1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT). 

2.