Worthy of the Cost
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”
Philippians 2:14–17
The pioneering work of missionary J. Hudson Taylor in China benefited greatly from the help of his wife Maria. She had spent her early years in China, and her knowledge of the language was invaluable to their ministry. In addition to teaching, writing, and witnessing, she gave birth to nine children, only four of whom survived to adulthood. All four adult Taylor children became missionaries with the China Inland Mission. Despite her grief at the loss of her little boys and girls, Maria Taylor remained faithful to the work until her death from cholera in 1871. On her gravestone these words were carved:
AN EARNEST CHRISTIAN AND DEVOTED MISSIONARY,
A FAITHFUL AND AFFECTIONATE WIFE AND TENDER MOTHER,
A SINCERE AND WARM HEARTED FRIEND,
TO HER TO LIVE WAS CHRIST, AND TO DIE WAS GAIN
The things that we endure in this life because of our service for God may sometimes be very painful, but they do not compare to what God has done for us, nor do they compare to the rewards that He offers those who faithfully serve Him. “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting” (Luke 18:29–30).
Philippians 2:14–17
The pioneering work of missionary J. Hudson Taylor in China benefited greatly from the help of his wife Maria. She had spent her early years in China, and her knowledge of the language was invaluable to their ministry. In addition to teaching, writing, and witnessing, she gave birth to nine children, only four of whom survived to adulthood. All four adult Taylor children became missionaries with the China Inland Mission. Despite her grief at the loss of her little boys and girls, Maria Taylor remained faithful to the work until her death from cholera in 1871. On her gravestone these words were carved:
AN EARNEST CHRISTIAN AND DEVOTED MISSIONARY,
A FAITHFUL AND AFFECTIONATE WIFE AND TENDER MOTHER,
A SINCERE AND WARM HEARTED FRIEND,
TO HER TO LIVE WAS CHRIST, AND TO DIE WAS GAIN
The things that we endure in this life because of our service for God may sometimes be very painful, but they do not compare to what God has done for us, nor do they compare to the rewards that He offers those who faithfully serve Him. “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting” (Luke 18:29–30).
Today’s Growth Principle:
There is no sacrifice that we make for God’s work that is more than He deserves.
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