So I reflected on all this, attempting to clear it all up. I concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God; whether a person will be loved or hated—no one knows what lies ahead.
Ecclesiastes 9:1, NET
Recommended Reading: Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
One of Jesus’ most comforting parables is that of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46). The sheep are those who inherit the Kingdom of God based on their faith that was manifested in humble acts of service: providing a meal, a drink, hospitality, clothing, medicine, or visitation. Think how many millions of such acts have been performed by Christians through the centuries that have gone unnoticed and unheralded by the world. The righteous are not always rewarded, nor are the wicked always punished—but God sees them all.
Solomon illustrated this irony: It is not always the fastest or strongest who win, nor the wisest or most skilled who get rewarded (Ecclesiastes 9:11). There is a seeming element of “chance” in life when it comes to victory and recognition at the human level. But God sees and records everything and will reward appropriately.
Solomon’s words remind us that we do not serve or strive to be rewarded but to one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
We are never more like Jesus than when we are serving Him or others.
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
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