Adding Value to Others (Part IV)

We add value to others when we do things that God values.

Matthew 25:31-46 -

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Did you ever notice that the sheep were as surprised as the goats were.  They both asked the same question.  The difference is the sheep did what God valued and the goats didn’t. 

Are you doing what God values?  Do you know what God values?  Here’s a few things:

God values the great commission.  

It is important for us to go out into our world and show others who Christ is and what He has done for them.

God values the local church.  

Jesus said He values the church and the gates of hell won’t trespass against it.  The church is the bride of Christ.  If your son brought home his fiancée and you didn’t love her, it wouldn’t be long before there would be a problem with your son.  Be sure to maintain the correct relationship with the church.

The church exists for the Father; therefore it’s a worship center.  The church exists for one another; therefore it’s a nurture center.  The church exists for the world; therefore it’s a redemption center.  God values the local church.

God values Pastors.  

The toughest job in the world is leading a volunteer organization.  One report says 70% of pastors say they don’t have a close personal friend. 

We add value to others when we truly value them.

We add value to others when we do things that God values.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”  

I must ask, “What are our motives when we interact with others?”  Our motives move us to action, so what is behind the motives?  Are we motivated by greed, selfishness, pride, envy, and hate?  Or are we motivated by love, joy, and peace?  I do not believe that the pure in heart are motivated for self-gain or self anything.  I believe the pure in heart or others oriented.  Everything they do is for the betterment of everyone around them.  They are givers, not takers.  They lift others up, not push them down.  They add value to everyone around them.