Deferred Payments

Growing up on the farm I was used to my Dad hauling grain into the town elevator.  There, he would dump his load and then go and see the elevator agent who would weigh the amount of grain and then ask if Dad would like to have payment now or 'defer' it to a later date.  Often Dad would choose to defer it so that there would be money for future use.

It didn't seem like a big deal to me then, but as I think about it, to choose to defer a cheque is actually pretty significant.  Why?  Because we live in a culture that desires everything 'now'.  We want to enjoy the benefits as soon as possible--even if it means sacrificing our future. 

Dad probably didn't know it at the time, but he was teaching me a very important lesson by telling that elevator agent to defer his grain payment.  And this came clear to me as I read this passage from Colossians 3:23-24:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

What this tells us is that as we live our lives, we should do so with passion, excellence and dedication to Jesus.  We should invest ourselves in the life He has given us, and we should recognize exactly what He his telling us here:  that we might not see all the benefits of living as a servant of God right now.  In fact, a big chunk of the reward, or 'payment' has been deferred for a future time.

That doesn't sit well with people most of the time--including me!  In my worldly way of thinking, I want to be able to enjoy all the benefits of my life investment now.  And it seems doubly hard sometimes in serving the Lord because we don't easily see Him in our daily lives--it is a life of faith--of things not seen.

And yet, as I think about my Dad standing in the grain elevator, I am struck with the truth of this statement from God in Colossians:  I will "receive an inheritance from the Lord."  My future is secure in Him, and the investments that He has made in me will come due one day.  On that day I am convinced that I will look back and realize more clearly than ever, that it was all worth it.

So for today, I want to encourage you to allow God's word to dwell richly in your heart.  Remember that any sacrifice that is asked of you today, in service to Jesus, will be repaid more than you can imagine at a future date when you receive the inheritance that has been set aside just for you.

It's good to know that we are in good hands.

BT