I must remember that my service for God is determined by my attitude about God. The man with one talent buried it in the ground because, to him, his master was “a hard man, reaping where [he] did not sow, and gathering where [he] scattered no seed” (Matthew 25:24). Whenever I see God as a “hard man,” it will affect my work for Him. I will see it as unrewarding toil, joyless slavery, and service without compensation.
Simon Peter practically insulted Jesus when he said, “We have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27). That was almost calling Jesus “a hard man” because the question indicated a doubt in Peter’s mind as to whether he would ever receive a reward for his work. I am often a contradictory Christian. I believe in God’s love and fairness; yet I treat Him as a “hard man” because I doubt that He will take care of me.
David established a law in Israel’s military code that the men who guarded the supplies were to share and share alike with those who fought the battle (1 Samuel 30:24–25). I admire David’s fairness and charity! But is God less fair and less charitable than David? Will He treat me, a soldier in His army, less considerately than David treated his men?
I read, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Are those the words of “a hard man” or of a loving Master who will never deprive me of anything that He has designed for me? When God asks me, “Am I hard?” I must answer, “Never, Lord,” and then let faith confirm that “Never!” I stand with Abraham: “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25, NIV, italics added).
“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in baring ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (Hebrews 6:10).
Daily with the King 