Living a complete and fulfilling life seems just out of reach. It is thought that only the rich are the ones that get to experience it all. And I guess if you are living a life based on a monetary rewards system, then yes, it is true, money leads to fulfillment. But…

“³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and whoever captures souls is wise.”

— Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)

Lori and I sat over the weekend and were able to simply enjoy ourselves as we looked at where we are. We were talking about our boys and where they are. We simply took the time and the chance to marvel at the fact that things are pretty great. We have raised our boys to be contributing members of society. We have our health as we are not restricted by medical conditions. We are content with what we have monetarily. We have wants for sure, yet all of our needs are met. All in all we have a great life. And it would not be possible without the LORD.

I look at the above verse and think of how all of what we have is thanks to the benefit of being a follower of Christ. We are members of a Christ following community and want to contribute to that community as a result. We do for others without expectation that we get anything in return and yet, inevitably, we are blessed for it. We give and in return receive greatly. And that is only due to the giving from the heart in the name of the LORD. We are get to live life to the fullest thanks to generosity of the LORD as He thanks us for the work we have, continue, and will do. We experience the tree of life providing continual fruit thanks to the work we are doing for the LORD.

“¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” – Revelation 22:1-2 (ESV)

What are you gaining through your works? Are you living and struggling on the idea that somehow you are not gaining monetarily through them? What if you were to look at the gains you have received through your righteous action for the LORD and know that they will be continual thanks to His love?