(Concluded from p. 228.)

"Respect for the Reward"

But shall we work with reward in view? Is not this selfish? Is it not better to ignore this matter altogether and to work alone for Christ? These are questions often asked and not to be lightly turned aside.

Surely we would not have so many exhortations to see -. to it that we do not lose our reward if the Holy Spirit :;S did not intend that we should have the crowns in view.

Of Moses we read that,

"By faith he, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to .' suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he HAD RESPECT unto the RECOMPENSE of the REWARD" (Heb. 11:24-26).

He weighed what Egypt could offer over against what God by His Word had promised to His people, and all Egypt's glory seemed lighter than air in comparison with the praise of God. Nor was it selfishness that thus led him to have "respect unto the recompense of the reward." He knew that God is glorified, as His people learn to esteem His favors in the right light.

Years ago, after the present writer had been speaking along the lines of truth indicated in these papers, a modest Christian woman came up to him and asked, "Am I to understand that you are working for reward, that you are looking forward to receiving a crown?" "Yes," was the reply; "I should rejoice indeed to be crowned by Him whose servant I am, in that day." "Well," she . exclaimed, "I am disappointed in you! I hoped you labored unselfishly out of pure love for Christ, and not with any expectation of reward. For myself, I only desire to please Him, and I am not at all interested in the crowns." "But, Madam," she was asked, ''do you recall what we are to do with the crowns if we are so happy as to win them?" Instantly her face changed. "Oh," was the answer, "I had not thought of that! It does say somewhere-doesn't it?-that they cast their crowns at His feet!" "Yes, that is it! And how sad it would be to have no crown in that day. You see we do not-we shall not-take any credit to ourselves for work performed, for service rendered here on earth; for when we have done all, we can but say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do;' but we shall cast our crowns adoringly at His once-pierced feet as we join in the song of praise, ' 'Tis Thou who art worthy, Lord Jesus. Tis Thou!'" Her eyes filled with tears as she softly said, "I should indeed want a crown for that glorious occasion. I have been mistaken, I shall seek to labor for Him in view of the reward."

And surely every blood-bought one instructed out of the Word will echo her sentiment.

It is well to remember how, while on earth, He was in the habit of saying (as the tense actually implies), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." So it will add to His joy to be able to bestow upon His victorious saints the rewards which He has prepared afore hand for them. He would have each one to be numbered among those who keep the word of His patience and overcome the world, in order that, having suffered with Him, they may reign with Him in the glory of the coming displayed Kingdom.

When He comes forth to reckon with His servants, and "to see what each one hath gained by trading" with the talents or pounds entrusted to him, it will be His delight to recognize what His grace has wrought in them by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. In honoring them He is really glorifying the Father's name and His own name. Who in that day would be willing to miss His "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord?" And what satisfaction it will give to the one who has toiled on amid difficulty for Him in the day of His rejection when He says, "Thou hast been faithful in a few things; I will make thee ruler over many."

And yet it is not merely for crowns we labor, but that we may please Him who hath called us to be His soldiers. His approval will make up for all man's misunderstandings and persecutions. "Therefore we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be acceptable to Him."

But sometimes we fail to realize how appreciative He is of little things, of hidden devotion, of faithfulness in the daily round. We are too apt to think we must "do some great thing," serve in some public capacity, to earn the victor's wreath. But this is a mistake. He values all that is done out of love for Him whether it be seen of men or not.

I recall a burdened little mother who said to me once, "I cannot win a crown, for I have no opportunity to serve as I would like. In college I had dreams of a life devoted to Christ's work. I was a 'student volunteer' and expected to become a missionary, but about the time I graduated I met Charlie, and soon we were married. That ended my dreams of going out as a herald of the cross. In the years that have past, ill-health, the rearing of six children, and much ill-fortune financially have made it impossible for me to do anything for the Lord, and so I can never win a crown!" But I pointed out that the godly testimony of a devoted wife and mother, the rearing of a family for God, the example of a holy and consistent life-these were in the sight of God of great price, and for these there is sure reward. And so indeed it is. The busiest mother can run the Christian race and thus win the incorruptible crown. The feeblest invalid can help to show someone the way of peace and so obtain the crown of rejoicing. The most poverty-stricken saint can love His appearing and gain the crown of righteousness. The humblest sufferer can be so devoted to Christ as to earn a crown of life. And anyone who in any way ministers to the sheep or lambs of Christ's flock will surely receive the crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd shall appear.

What is needed is heart for Christ. He will use all who are willing to let Him have His way with them. He who has saved by grace will surely reward in that day for the least service done for His own.

And now in closing may I affectionately press upon the Christian reader the Lord's own solemn warning to the Philadelphian church:

"Behold, I come quickly:hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Rev. 3:11).

Observe:no one can rob me of my salvation. Of this there is abundant evidence in Scripture. But another may take my crown if I prove faithless to the trust committed to me.

Each believer is a servant as well as a son. To each is given some special gift and some particular line of service. It may be of either a public or a private nature. But it is a stewardship committed to him of the Lord, and "it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful." If I do not exercise the ministry allotted to me, in humble dependence on the Holy Spirit that I may fulfil it faithfully, I may be set aside as a servant, and another be called to complete my work. And so I will lose my crown.

We have read of the tract distributor who, becoming discouraged because of apparent lack of appreciation, gave up his lowly service, and learned twenty years after of one saved through a tract given out on the last day in which he did that work, who had taken it up himself as a ministry to needy men and after that long lapse of time met his benefactor and presented him with a tract. As a result a conversation sprang up which showed how the convert had taken the other's place, and the older man exclaimed with regret, "I see:I have let you take my crown!"

Let us remember, God is going to carry on His work in some way and by some instrumentality. May it be ours not to shirk responsibility but to say (and do) with Isaiah,

"Here am I; send me." H. A. Ironside