DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Some years ago, I read an
extraordinary narrative about a poverty stricken farmer in Scotland with the surname
Fleming. While struggling to make a living
for his family, one day he heard an apprehensive cry for help coming from the
swamp nearby. Fleming immediately
dropped his tools and sped toward that Scottish bog. He soon discovered a terrified young boy
sinking in quicksand, just about to go under. With the help of the Lord, Fleming managed to
set the lad free.
The next morning, a resplendent
carriage pulled up in front of Fleming’s poor home. A genteel nobleman exited the carriage and
introduced himself as the father of the young boy whose life Fleming had saved.
The rich man offering a generous reward,
but Fleming declined saying “I cannot accept payment for what I have done.”
At that moment, the farmer’s son
emerged from the house to see what was happening. “Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Why yes!” Fleming replied proudly. The nobleman looked the young lad up-and-down
for a moment and said “I have a great idea! You saved my son’s life. Since you won’t take any money, I’ll make you
a deal. If you let your son come home
with me, I’ll make sure he is well cared for, and he will receive a proper
education.”
Although the Flemings were sad to
see their son leaving home, they were hopeful about his future, so in time they
agreed. The wealthy man kept his
promise, and years later Farmer Fleming’s son graduated from the Medical School
of London and went on to become a renowned and knighted physician by the name
of Sir Alexander Fleming. This brilliant
doctor discovered what the world’s most important antibiotic, penicillin.
Later on, incredibly enough, the
nobleman’s son was stricken with pneumonia, and it was Sir Alexander Fleming’s
penicillin that saved his life. Even
more astonishing is the family lineage of the elder nobleman, Randolph
Churchill. His beloved son, whose life
had been saved twice by the Fleming family, grew up to become one of England’s
most celebrated statesmen, Sir Winston Churchill!
Farmer Fleming had no clue about the
seeds he planted on the day he saved that young boy’s life. Although he had refused any monetary reward,
the benefits of his courageous act (saving the nobleman’s son) and his
sacrificial act (freeing his son for education and opportunity) continue to
resonate throughout time and eternity.
This phenomenal story raises three
practical points for every believer to carefully consider: (1) Are YOU focused
on getting whatever you can right now, or are you willing to freely invest and
trust GOD for long-term dividends? (2) Are
YOU Kingdom-minded enough to invest all of yourself (time, talent and treasure)
in the work of the Lord, or are you what Christ described as a “hireling?” (John
10:12-13) (3) What are your MOTIVES for
service, erecting a personal empire or building God’s Kingdom?
While the Lord has no issue with
Christian workers receiving just compensation (Luke 10:17), we should never be
motivated solely by money or material possessions. We should be fundamentally and fully dedicated
to building the Kingdom of God. Think
about it. Just as Farmer Fleming gained
unexpected and overflowing blessings for what he was willing to give (without any
expectation of compensation), we will be rewarded generously for our
contributions to the Kingdom, whether they are noticed or appreciated by
others.
Money is a necessary medium of
exchange that remedies certain natural needs, but we should never become greedy
for it or love money more so than God or people. The Apostle Paul said “the love of money is
the root of all evil: which while some have coveted after, they have pierced
themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:10) The authoritative command of Jesus Christ yet
challenges every believer: “Go into my vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give (pay) you.” (Matthew
20:4)
Although our rewards are somewhat
temporal, they are primarily eternal. Hence,
believers should not expect to be materially compensated for every single thing
we do for the sake of the Kingdom! Think
about it. Believer, are you willing to
work on a “DEFERRED COMPENSATION” basis, or do you want to receive ALL you possibly
can within this short earthly lifetime?
MOTIVES DO COUNT to the God who is always found “testing the mind and
the heart.” (Jeremiah 11:20, NKJV)
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