Benefits of Volunteering

At a recent trip to a local prison, something happened that really got the attention of a few volunteers. For the first time in an entire year of weekly visits, these volunteers were thanked by a correctional officer who mentioned God. This female officer said that these volunteers would be blessed. One of the volunteers spoke up and said, 'yes we know, when we get into the kingdom we will be rewarded according to our works.' She replied, 'No, I mean every day.' She began to explain how she believed that people who volunteer and do good things are recipients of good health and favor from God continually. She made a good point, because in all of the weeks of coming into a prison and waiting in the cold and heat, God continued to preserve these volunteers. None of them have experienced any threat or sign of danger from inmates and they all continue to serve their local churches with fervor. The scenario begs the question of what would their lives be like if they did not serve? Maybe you already know and they have already forgotten and don't want to find out.

 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.