We all want approval for our efforts, whether from a family member, a friend, a boss, or even a stranger. A “thank you,” or “a job well done,” can mean a tremendous boost to our whole day. But have you ever thought how fickle man’s approval is and how it is often based on doing things that we think others might like. And sadly, how often do we seek man’s approval at the expense of pleasing our heavenly Father.
For example, just listen to the words of Nancy Leigh DeMoss: “Now I certainly had no intention of lying on the form, but I was trying to think of a creative way to make homemaker sound more important. Then the thought struck me: I am more concerned about the opinion of the individual who will read this questionnaire than I am about the approval of the One who has called me to be a homemaker. I had succumbed to worldly thinking rather than viewing my profession as the Bible portrays it—a high calling from God.”1
My friends, it is so important to check our motives whenever we partake of a particular activity to see if we are doing it to please people or to please and glorify God. Standing up for truth and the gospel will often not get you the approval of society, but it will get us something far more precious – the approval of Jesus!
One of my favorite portions of Scripture is the parable of the talents from (Matthew 25:14-30). If you remember in the parable we read: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” (Matthew 25:14-15). And later in the parable we read, what I consider, one of the most exciting accolades in the Bible that God can confirm on an individual: “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:20-21).
What really excites me here is that when we are faithful to Jesus, not only does He shower us with His approval, but He allows us to enter into the joy of our Lord.
And I can tell you from first-hand experience that there is absolutely nothing more wonderful than living in and experiencing the joy of the Lord! Yes, getting the approval of man is nice, and may bring one momentary happiness, but it is so fleeting and often it comes at the expense, when our motive isn’t right, of displeasing Jesus.
I don’t know about you but gaining the approval of the Lord trumps getting the approval of man every time. So, may I leave you with a challenge verse that is guaranteed to not only gain the approval of the Lord but to bring with it unspeakable joy: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).