“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
If our labor is unto men, it will die out when men cease rewarding us for it. To be always abounding in the work of the Lord we must keep our eyes on the heavenly prize. Motivation is everything. Why do we labor? What are we hoping to gain? Who are we wanting to impress?
If we’re looking for an earthly response we will be excited and enthused when they’re cheering us on; but dejected and ready to give up when they yawn. But if our eye is single and our one focus is to win God’s praise, then the response of man is irrelevant. Our labor is never in vain, even when men call it nothing.
The prescription for untiring ministry is an eye that is ever toward the Lord – looking to Him for what we give to men, without a need to be recompensed by them in any way. Whether they hear or forbear makes no difference.
Success in God’s eyes is not earthly results, but faithfulness. Wait for your reward. It will be worth it.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).