None need be startled by the thought that Christian work is rewarded. Essentially, it is not deeds but character that is rewarded. The reward' is the possession of God of which such a character is capable, and the consequent blessedness which fills such a soul, and cannot but fill it, and which can be enjoyed by no other. The faithful servant enters into the joy of the Lord; the faithful administrator of his Lord's talents enters on the rule over cities in number the same as the talents. Capacity for service is the result of stewardship rightly administered here, and new opportunities yonder are sure to be provided for new capacities.
God's judgment takes little note of that which men's judgment all but exclusively notes. The conspicuousness or success of a man's deeds is nothing to Him. Differences of power are of no account. It is faithfulness that is required in a steward, and it is all the same whether the stewardship is of millions or of farthings. The saints nearest the glory in heaven will not always be the men whose words or deeds fill the pages of Church history and resound through the ages. There will be astounding new principles of nearness and comparative remoteness then.
Christ was repeating what David made a law in Israel, when He said: He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward.' Therein He recognizes the identity in spiritual stature and motive for service, of the prophet and of his dumb helper, and assures us that those who, in widely different ways but under the guidance of the same spirit and motives, have contributed their respective shares to the one triumphant result shall be associated and equalized in the immortal reward.
So remember that what is necessary in our indirect work, if it is to be thus honored, is that it should have our devotion, and our love to Jesus and to men, throbbing ia it, and that it should be accompanied by direct work, in so far as we have opportunities for that. Money-giving may be made sacred, and by it, exercised in the right spirit, we may lay up in store for ourselves a good foundation' and may lay hold upon eternal life.'
