Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Matthew 25:40

Everyone loves payday Friday. It means money is coming in for bills, for food, and for other life necessities. It also means your employer recognizes your contribution to the company you work for. On the internet, there are various memes that capture the joy and exuberance of payday Friday. There are memes of people dancing with abandon on the streets because they are “rolling in dough.” Their joy is only temporary though.

The writer of the gospel of Matthew reveals that a different kind of payday is coming as we approach the last days. God will judge his people by separating the sheep from the goats, and will reward his good and faithful servants. For believers, work is not just about a paycheck. It is about honoring God by serving his people. What a privilege!

No matter how exhausting some days may be, we are part of God’s team enriching the lives of his people, and he who keeps his word, will one day give us settlement for our service. His reward will be eternal life (John 3:16), which means permanent joy in his Presence.

These are urgent times, and there is plenty of work to be done. So let us do the Lord’s work, while it is still daylight, for night is coming, when no one can work (John 9:4).