13th June 2019
READ: John 10:31-39
“Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?” – John 10:32
Every leader comes face to face with ingratitude. People are not grateful for the services you render them. It will not take you long to discover this.
Years ago, I found out that people whom I loved could turn around and hurt me. Men that I had trained did not remember that they had been helped. However, I have continued to believe in people and to trust people. I have no choice. If I begin to retaliate because of ingratitude, I will lose my position. Jesus experienced ingratitude. He was killed by an ungrateful mob of Jews.
Jesus was murdered for His good deeds. He was exchanged for an armed robber. But He never responded to the evil spirit of ingratitude. Do not look to people for gratitude. A leader looks to God for rewards. “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free” (Ephesians 6:8).
The Scripture teaches that your rewards depend on God and not on the people you helped. God is the only one who can reward you adequately. Do not expect much from people, expect your rewards from God.
Many years ago, I stopped expecting people to commend me after I had finished preaching. I am not expecting appreciation from men. My duty is to preach from the Bible. When I decided not to look for man’s approval, I felt a sense of liberty. I was free from men and accountable to the Lord.