And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
A good number of years ago, at my place of employment, I became involved in the latter stages of a technical training project that required some extra hands. I was asked to help make corrections to the project because I had the experience and the tools to do the work. At one point, we were informed that there was a deadline approaching, and the group was asked to meet that deadline. I discovered nobody else would be able to perform the work, so I made considerable extra effort and spent extra time to work on the project, and was able to meet the deadline, with five minutes to spare. The manager in charge of the project said little when I told him the job was finished. He merely thanked me for telling him. No mention of the extra time and effort I had made. Does it ever bother you when somebody you do a favour for doesn’t take the time to express thanks? I know it certainly irks me. But the apostle Paul reminds us that these things should not stop us from doing good deeds, from helping people, from spreading the Gospel, from being kind and generous.
Paul reminds us that the best antidote to weariness in well-doing is to keep the prospect of the great harvest of rewards before us. No, we may not get the thanks we deserve here and now. But it will come in due season.
The world loves to hear praise for well-doing. And there is nothing wrong with that. People who do great things, who help others, deserve their accolades. It doesn’t hurt us to join in expressing thanks for such deeds. But God never promised us that our well-doing would be appreciated or even noted down here. The world doesn’t care much about many of the things that God calls us to do for others. But God cares. And He knows every drop of sweat, every penny, every word or fallen tear.
Just because somebody you helped didn’t say thank-you is no reason to expect that God will do likewise. Be assured that your Heavenly Father will be generous in His thanks! -Jim MacIntosh