Does It Pay To Serve God?

Does It Pay To Serve God? Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery

to serve God.to serve God.

Does It Pay To Serve God? Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery

to serve God.to serve God. Often more emphasis is placed on what serving Often more emphasis is placed on what serving

God costs than what it pays.God costs than what it pays.

Does It Pay To Serve God? Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery

to serve God.to serve God. Often more emphasis is placed on what serving Often more emphasis is placed on what serving

God costs than what it pays.God costs than what it pays. Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22; Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22;

Jno. 12:42,43)Jno. 12:42,43)

Does It Pay To Serve God? Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery

to serve God.to serve God. Often more emphasis is placed on what serving Often more emphasis is placed on what serving

God costs than what it pays.God costs than what it pays. Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22; Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22;

Jno. 12:42,43)Jno. 12:42,43) However, some only view Christianity from what However, some only view Christianity from what

it will cost, not what it pays.it will cost, not what it pays.

Does It Pay To Serve God? Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery

to serve God.to serve God. Often more emphasis is placed on what serving Often more emphasis is placed on what serving

God costs than what it pays.God costs than what it pays. Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22; Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22;

Jno. 12:42,43)Jno. 12:42,43) However, some only view Christianity from what However, some only view Christianity from what

it will cost, not what it pays.it will cost, not what it pays. Paul was the very opposite (Eph. 3:8-9).Paul was the very opposite (Eph. 3:8-9).

Does It Pay To Serve God? Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery Jews during Malachi’s day thought it a drudgery

to serve God.to serve God. Often more emphasis is placed on what serving Often more emphasis is placed on what serving

God costs than what it pays.God costs than what it pays. Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22; Bible does emphasize the cost (Matt. 19:16-22;

Jno. 12:42,43)Jno. 12:42,43) However, some only view Christianity from what However, some only view Christianity from what

it will cost, not what it pays.it will cost, not what it pays. Paul was the very opposite (Eph. 3:8-9).Paul was the very opposite (Eph. 3:8-9). There is an element of truth in the statement Jews There is an element of truth in the statement Jews

made during Malachi’s day. It made during Malachi’s day. It isis vain to serve vain to serve God given certain circumstances…God given certain circumstances…

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

1.1. UnscripturallyUnscripturally

-- all O.T. examples prove this.-- all O.T. examples prove this.

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

1.1. UnscripturallyUnscripturally

-- all O.T. examples prove this.-- all O.T. examples prove this.

-- people can deceive themselves (Jer. 17:9).-- people can deceive themselves (Jer. 17:9).

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

1.1. UnscripturallyUnscripturally

-- all O.T. examples prove this.-- all O.T. examples prove this.

-- people can deceive themselves (Jer. 17:9).-- people can deceive themselves (Jer. 17:9).

-- people do not believe God means what He says!-- people do not believe God means what He says!

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

1.1. UnscripturallyUnscripturally

-- all O.T. examples prove this.-- all O.T. examples prove this.

-- people can deceive themselves (Jer. 17:9).-- people can deceive themselves (Jer. 17:9).

-- people do not believe God means what He says!-- people do not believe God means what He says!

-- many worship as if it is directed to man, not -- many worship as if it is directed to man, not God.God.

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

2. 2. Half-HeartedlyHalf-Heartedly

-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

2. 2. Half-HeartedlyHalf-Heartedly

-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.

-- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each -- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each makes people unhappy in makes people unhappy in

both.both.

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

2. 2. Half-HeartedlyHalf-Heartedly

-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.

-- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each -- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each makes people unhappy in makes people unhappy in

both.both.

-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

2. 2. Half-HeartedlyHalf-Heartedly

-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.

-- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each -- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each makes people unhappy in makes people unhappy in

both.both.

-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.

-- Can mechanically go through motions -- Can mechanically go through motions (Mal. 1:13) (Mal. 1:13)

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

2. 2. Half-HeartedlyHalf-Heartedly

-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.

-- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each -- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each makes people unhappy in makes people unhappy in

both.both.

-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.

-- Can mechanically go through motions -- Can mechanically go through motions (Mal. 1:13) (Mal. 1:13)

-- Amos 8:5, rather than Ps. 42:1; 25:1-- Amos 8:5, rather than Ps. 42:1; 25:1

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

2. 2. Half-HeartedlyHalf-Heartedly

-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.-- Matt. 6:33; Mk. 12:30.

-- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each -- James 4:4 -- Trying to have some of each makes people unhappy in makes people unhappy in

both.both.

-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.-- James 1:26 -- Is religious, but does not apply it.

-- Can mechanically go through motions -- Can mechanically go through motions (Mal. 1:13) (Mal. 1:13)

-- Amos 8:5, rather than Ps. 42:1; 25:1-- Amos 8:5, rather than Ps. 42:1; 25:1

-- II Cor. 9:7 -- any service needs to be rendered -- II Cor. 9:7 -- any service needs to be rendered cheerfully. cheerfully.

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

3. 3. DeceitfullyDeceitfully

-- Mal. 1:14-- Mal. 1:14

Does It Pay To Serve God?It It isis vain to serve God… vain to serve God…

3. 3. DeceitfullyDeceitfully

-- Mal. 1:14-- Mal. 1:14

-- Misrepresenting ourselves (Acts 5?)-- Misrepresenting ourselves (Acts 5?)

Does It Pay To Serve God?4. 4. How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked

prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)

Does It Pay To Serve God?4. 4. How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked

prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)

-- Abel?-- Abel?

Does It Pay To Serve God?4. 4. How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked

prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)

-- Abel?-- Abel?

-- Jeremiah?-- Jeremiah?

Does It Pay To Serve God?4. 4. How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked

prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)

-- Abel?-- Abel?

-- Jeremiah?-- Jeremiah?

-- Servants of God have riches now, but not in -- Servants of God have riches now, but not in ways that necessarily distinguish us visibly ways that necessarily distinguish us visibly

from from those who are wicked.those who are wicked.

Does It Pay To Serve God?4. 4. How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked How is it profitable to serve God when the wicked

prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)prosper (3:13-15; 7-10)

-- Abel?-- Abel?

-- Jeremiah?-- Jeremiah?

-- Servants of God have riches now, but not in -- Servants of God have riches now, but not in ways that necessarily distinguish us visibly ways that necessarily distinguish us visibly

from from those who are wicked.those who are wicked.

-- Paul was rich, but one couldn’t tell it -- Paul was rich, but one couldn’t tell it physically.physically.

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).

-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).

-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).

-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).

-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).

-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).

-- Physically (I Cor. 6:19-20).-- Physically (I Cor. 6:19-20).

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).

-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).

-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).

-- Physically (I Cor. 6:19-20).-- Physically (I Cor. 6:19-20).

-- -- ETERNALLYETERNALLY (I Pet. 1:3-5). (I Pet. 1:3-5).

Does It Pay To Serve God?5.5. It does pay to serve God… It does pay to serve God…

-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).-- Socially (Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22,23).

-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).-- Emotionally (Phil. 4).

-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).-- Financially (Ps. 37:25; Matt. 6:33).

-- Physically (I Cor. 6:19-20).-- Physically (I Cor. 6:19-20).

-- -- ETERNALLYETERNALLY (I Pet. 1:3-5). (I Pet. 1:3-5).

Yes, it pays to serve Jesus, it pays every Yes, it pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day, every step of the way, and it pays day, every step of the way, and it pays most importantly in eternity.most importantly in eternity.