II Cor. 12:15- And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
“Overworked and underpaid.” How many times have we heard the last statement? What is worse is when some people cannot even say thank you. Like a husband who just expects his food to be ready when he gets home, then he eats and never thinks to say, “Thank honey.” Or our children who are notorious for thinking that they are suppose to get what they want no matter what the cost to us? Maybe you have a family member who constantly borrows money, but never offers anything in return. I had a neighbor once that I brought all my tools to. He asked me why I kept doing this. I told him that I like to keep my tools together; and since he had the bulk of them, I would need to give him what I had or bought! It is no wonder some of us feel underappreciated.
It’s not a good feeling when people take advantage of you. Unfortunately, we do have a few that does not control their inner selfishness. But here’s a twist: What good we do, let us do it as unto the Lord. Winning the affection, affirmation, acceptance, adoration, and attention of those around us should not be our intention. Check your motives? Some of us are underappreciated because we are trying to appease man instead of doing what is pleasing in the sight of God! When God is our focus, then we will do what is right to be in right standing with Him. Eph 6:6. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men….” God will never forget what you do out of a pure heart. Remember: although you may be doing something for your fellowman, ultimately God rewards for all loving and good deeds.