II. THE GOSPEL COMMANDS THE SUBMISSION  OF THE SLAVE

III. THE GRAND INCENTIVE FOR SUCH SUBMISSION IS CHRIST’S REWARD

1. The basest of drugery is thus elevated into doing good. 

Man would dismiss a slave’s work as menial and without value. (Matt 26:6-13.) Not so the Lord. Their reward from their earthly masters would be small but not from their Heavenly Master. “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ,” Colossians 3:24.

2. Rewards are given according to the spirit in which things are done. 

It is not quantity of labours but the spirit in which they are undertaken that counts with the Lord. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him . . . And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men,” Colossians 3:17, 23.

3. Will not the making known of these truths encourage our labours. 

God would have us “know” that there are rewards for labour wrought to His glory. Since the Lord does set the rewards before us, it is proper for us to keep the rewards within our hearts when engaged in life’s affairs.