REWARDS

Life is a classroom in which God teaches us. We learn much as we walk with God through life and interact with Him as we go. King David was God's student in the classroom of life. He learned much about God and himself as he walked with God in this life.

In Psalm 41 David imparted some of the knowledge he had acquired in the classroom of life. The psalm contains a principle, a prayer, and praise. The principle in the opening begins with this verse:

Blessed is he who considers the poor;

The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

(Psalm 41:1, NKJV)

God rewards those who serve others in His name.

David wrote that a person who considers the poor is blessed. The poor includes those who are helpless or powerless; they lack the strength or resources to overcome the challenges they are facing. To be blessed is to be happy. Helping those in need brings happiness to us, if we do it for the right reasons. We should help others because we love God and it pleases Him when we help others. We should also help others because we love people and want to do good for them. When we serve in this manner, it brings happiness. If we serve for selfish reasons (because it makes us feel good, or in order to get blessings from God) we are not showing love for God or other people - we are loving ourselves. God will not bless selfishness. We should serve others out of genuine love for God and people.

David listed a specific way God blesses the person who cares for the poor. "The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble." Just as the person has delivered others who were in trouble, God will deliver that person when they encounter trouble. He did not say that they will not have any trouble. He said that God would deliver them from trouble. We will have trouble in this life. Expect it. But God will deliver us, especially when we help others in His name. He loves to reward us according to the things we have done. We reap what we sow.

Who do you know who could use a little help? Help them because you love God and want to please Him. Help them because you love them and want to do good for them. Trust God to do the same for you in your time of need.