What is in it for us?

A question we commonly ask ourselves in considering what to do, where to go, or how much to give is "What is in it for me?"

We all do what makes sense to us.  We typically do things in which we find significance.  There are somethings we do out of necessity.   And we are willing to do difficult or inconvenient things when we see the value in it. Usually the value we find in doing difficult, painful things is that we will gain something from it.

For example, training in any sense of the word in my experience has been endured because I expect to gain something valuable from it.  I exercise to gain better health and ability to accomplish physical goals.  I have endured hard hours and years of school to gain more understanding and skills to accomplish my job, provide for my family, and make better decisions in life. The choice to do the hard things must spring from some internal motivation. Usually it is self-serving. Sometimes for the good of others, but rarely for the complete benefit of others.

In Matthew's gospel we find several folks that we were willing to follow Jesus...but had some "in it for myself" tendencies.

The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 asked Jesus, "What must I do to gain eternal life?" When he heard Jesus' response to obey the commands of God he was willing, but when he heard the requirement to sell everything he had to be given to poor AND follow Jesus, he walked away.  Too high a price.  Whatever he was seeking to gain (living forever) required too high a cost for him.

Peter then chimes in, "Well, Jesus, we have left everything for you, what is in it for us?" Jesus told him of amazing rewards to come, but these rewards will not be exclusive to you just because you were first in line to begin following me (or later the leader of the movement called church). The parable of the vineyard laborers explains, the first will be last and the last will be first.  There will be no special rewards or exclusive perks for the most sacrificial.

Then the James, John, and their mommy came to Jesus asking for the special privilege to sit at Jesus' right and left hand when he came into his kingdom, first in command.  Another "what is in  it for me" request. You can imagine how this made the other 10 close followers of Jesus feel when they found out about the request.  The conversation may have went something like this: "What about me?" "Well I has here first!" "I gave up more than you did." "Well I am more trained and gifted to lead." "But Jesus has spent more time with me so I should be in charge."

Calling them all together, Jesus tells them, "Whoever wants to be great must be your servant.  I came not to be served but to serve.  AND to give my life (an ultimate sacrifice) to ransom many (to totally benefit others).

What is in it for us in following Jesus? Eternal life? Yes. Treasure in heaven? Maybe. Sacrifice for the benefit of others? Absolutely. A cross. An end to our own "in it for me plans."  Following Jesus puts Him in charge and others before ourselves. Service. Sacrifice. Peacemaking. Gentleness. Mercy.

This lifestyle of "in it for others" can only be motivated longterm by LOVE. No short term reward or even a promised eternal life will keep us moving forward with Jesus into the difficult places that following Him requires.  Do I love Him with all my heart, mind, and strength? Am I in it for Him? And am I in it for others?