We adopt thankful behaviors for God is our reward . These are positive, practical, and beneficial for both believers and non-believers. Let’s concentrate on four things: hospitality, mercy, generosity, and kindness. Not surprisingly, they echo or embody the fruit of the Spirit.
Matthew 10:41 pairs hospitality and reward. “Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man, will receive a righteous man’s reward.” The first half of this verse might give one pause, because prophets proverbially lacked honor in their home towns, and frequently were persecuted for their work.
However, I think what the Lord wanted his listeners to recall was that the widow in Zerephath gave Elijah lodging, and willingly shared her food with him when it was meager. In return, the prophet reassured her that her oil and flour would not run out until God ended the drought. When her son sickened and died, Elijah pleaded with God for the boy’s life, and it was restored.
We adopt thankful behaviors for God is our reward no matter what people do.
If Jesus did mean the gathered listeners should expect dishonor and persecution from people in this instance, He also hints that God has a reward and honor waiting for them with Him. “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (
We adopt thankful behaviors for God is our reward.
Besides hospitality, his goodness to us prompts us to practice generosity without bragging, kindness even toward our enemies, and mercy.
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Ruth DeMaat
Heidi Kortman