Silent Contribution

And they cast their lots and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

(Acts 1:26, NKJV)

Many times we have found relevance from how people perceive us and what they tell us.  Given our desire to connect with others and to be counted of value, we tend to always be on the look out to gaining some form of affirmation from others along the journey.  The information we receive from others is useful as it gives us feedback on our progress and at other times, it helps us to know where we need to improve.  This is helpful for the achievement of our desired areas of growth. We are also living in the days of social media influence which seems to push many to live for the recognition of others.  Unfortunately, the search for human acknowledgement has been so elevated that it has crowded sound thinking and individual acceptance.  The common phrase “if you have it flaunt it” has taken center stage in many things that individuals do today, the show off of what one is proud of, all for the admiration of others.  Beloved, there is need to consciously balance what we consider as healthy affirmation. 

Our reference verse is on the choosing of Matthias to join the apostles as a replacement of Judas.  The apostles who used to be 12, upon losing Judas Iscariot after he had killed himself, realized a gap in their numbers and so they prayed to God on who should take the slot.  Two people were identified and the lot fell on Matthias, making him the 12th apostle. Searching the bible for the journey of all the apostles, we do not find any mention of Matthias again.  It is however recorded in ancient history that Matthias took his position as an apostle preaching the gospel in Judea and then to foreign missions like Turkey.  Matthias may not have received the same acknowledgement and visibility as the other apostles but he continued to do his part in spreading the gospel to his death as a martyr. 

As I reflected on the witness of Matthias, the reality of serving from almost a place of obscurity and yet remaining faithful to one’s calling and purpose challenged me.  This is contrary to what we are used to where individuals are constantly seeking recognition and rewards for what they do. Doing the right thing whether one is acknowledged or not, calls for humility and a deep conviction of the importance of the outcome.  It reminds us of Jesus who though being God, He did not think that being equal with God was something for His own benefit (Philippians 2:16), Jesus chose to remain humble to achieve His mission of salvation for mankind, who though rich, for our sake He chose to become poor (2 Corinthians 8:9).  The life of Jesus brings out the importance of a focused goal and vision, which leads one to disregard temporary comforts and conveniences.  Many of the apostles were martyred, including Matthias, clearly the dangers that they faced did not dissuade them from pursuing their quest to preach the gospel of salvation.  Beloved, this outlook contradicts our current world view, yet it remains the ancient path that we need to follow.  We are not to be motivated by the temporary rewards of our days and the respect or acceptance of our present culture, we are to be committed to greater purpose and reward in God. 

It is written that when we do good, we should not announce it (flaunt it) as others do, for they seek the glory of men.  When we follow this path of public accolades,  we have received our reward already and we miss out on the reward that God Himself would have given us (Matthew 6:1-4).  Our work should be in private and leave the reward to be given by our Father.  Beloved, let us keep on the path that God has set for us and when we do, His reward will exceed what man could have given us.  Matthias though not known too widely, remains a faithful apostle whose reward in heaven is great.  It is said that when we get to heaven, we will find many saints and giants of our faith who are unknown to us on earth, but whose contribution to the cause of the gospel was very valuable.  Nothing is too insignificant to be noticed and rewarded by God who sees in secret, so keep doing the good you know how to do.

Thoughts:

What motivates you to do good?

How has man rewarded you? How has God rewarded your efforts?

Are there areas of your service which need a change of motivation?