April 11, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Parable of Accolades

Luke 14:12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Why do you do what you do when it comes to blessing others? Do you do those things for reward or for recompense? Do you do those things so that you can receive something later? What is your motive for doing what you do?

Following the parable of pride the Lord, while still at the dinner with the Pharisee, pointed out another issue of pride. They were doing what they were doing for recognition and recompense.

This same principle was spoken of by the Lord in Luke chapter six.

Luke 6:32  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

So, why do you do what you do when it comes to others?

As a child I was taught that one hand washes the other. It was a principle taught to do good to others that you can have them do good unto you. It was a principle of reciprocation.

I have never found the Lord Jesus Christ practicing that principle. While the Lord did teach the golden rule.

Luke 6:31  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The golden rule is that you treat others as you would have them treat you. It does not mean that everyone is going to treat you like you treat them. It simply means you treat people the right way, not for recompense but because it is right.

The religious Pharisees were having great suppers and meals to receive something in return, for recompense.

When Christians do what they do it should be to please the Lord. The reward comes in heaven.

Luke 14:14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

2 Corinthians 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Luke 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

What is your motive for doing what you do?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook