Eternal and Earthly Joy

In Daily Devotional by Scott Roberts

Bible Passage: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40 ESV)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:31-46As we conclude these devotionals, it’s fitting to go full circle back to Matthew 25, where Jesus paints a vivid picture of the Final Judgment.

The King commends the righteous, saying, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” (v. 35). When they ask when they ever served Him personally, He responds, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (v. 40).

This reminds us that every act of service is not only noticed by God but also a direct act of love toward Him. When we are saved by grace and grow to love God deeper, we will naturally want to serve others more, even in tiny gestures.

What an incredible thought that the smallest deed done has eternal significance!

I’ll never forget the first time I volunteered to visit a local nursing home. I wasn’t sure what to expect. To be honest, as a younger guy, I felt out of my element.

But I remember sitting with an older resident who seemed withdrawn. I began asking him basic questions about his life, and slowly, he opened up, sharing memories from his childhood and his love for his family. At the end of our time together, he smiled and thanked me for listening.

I realized that just being present, offering a listening ear and a kind word, was a profound way to reflect God’s love.

Over this week, we’ve explored what it means to serve with humility, see Jesus in others, and offer ourselves as living sacrifices. But it all comes down to this:

Service is an act of worship, and it brings joy.

There is true joy not just in the moment but for eternity. Jesus promises that our service to others will be remembered and rewarded by Him.

As we close, reflect on the ways God has called you to serve. Remember that He sees every act of kindness and every sacrifice, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Serving others isn’t always easy or convenient, and it certainly will push us out of our comfort zones at times, but it is one of the most profound ways we can live out our faith and bring glory to God.

And the joy? It comes in knowing that we are pleasing the One who first served us.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the joy and privilege of serving You by serving others. Help me to remember that every act of kindness has eternal value. As I continue to grow in humility and love, may I be a man who reflects Your heart in all that I do. Amen.

Reflection: How can you take what you’ve learned in the past week and apply it in a way that impacts eternity?


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About
Scott Roberts
Scott Roberts is an elder, teacher, speaker, and men's ministry leader at Bayfair Baptist Church. In addition to writing for his personal blog, Scott has released a men's ministry book called Warrior Disciple. Originally from Missouri, USA, Scott now resides in Pickering, Ontario with his wife and their youngest daughter.
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Scott Roberts
Scott Roberts is an elder, teacher, speaker, and men's ministry leader at Bayfair Baptist Church. In addition to writing for his personal blog, Scott has released a men's ministry book called Warrior Disciple. Originally from Missouri, USA, Scott now resides in Pickering, Ontario with his wife and their youngest daughter.