Every follower of Christ, at some point, wonders if their service is truly making a difference. Whether it’s teaching a quiet Sunday school class, serving behind the scenes, or continuing in a ministry when results are slow, the temptation to ask “Is it even worth it?” is all too familiar. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the Apostle Paul gives a deeply reassuring answer. In the shadow of the resurrection, we are reminded that every faithful act for Jesus has meaning, purpose, and eternal value. Let’s explore three questions that help us anchor our hearts in this truth.
Is It Worth It to Stay Faithful?
Paul begins with a powerful exhortation: “Be ye steadfast, unmovable.” These words speak of spiritual endurance and unwavering commitment. In a culture where compromise and distraction are common, Paul challenges believers to stand firm. Like the house in Quebec perched on unyielding rock while floods swept away the surrounding land, our lives can remain spiritually anchored when built on Christ.
Many wonder if their past disqualifies them from being used by God. The Corinthian church, filled with former failures and spiritual drifters, is called “beloved brethren.” This is a reminder that no past mistake places someone beyond God’s ability to restore and use them again. Whether it’s a returning prisoner who found Christ after a violent past, or a church member who quietly rededicates their life, God’s mercy enables new beginnings. Faithfulness matters and not perfection, but consistency grounded in grace.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in well-doing, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. As George Mueller’s life testifies, perseverance in prayer and service may not yield immediate fruit, but it always bears eternal significance.
Always Abounding
Paul doesn’t stop at urging faithfulness. He calls us to “always abound in the work of the Lord.” This means serving with overflow, not just checking boxes or doing the bare minimum, but engaging joyfully and wholeheartedly. It’s about exceeding what’s expected, driven not by obligation but by love.
This kind of service leaves a legacy. Ida Scudder, who initially rejected ministry, returned to India to meet an unmet need. Her decision to go beyond what was comfortable led to the founding of a medical college that impacted thousands. She could have walked away, but she didn’t. That is what it means to abound in the Lord’s work.
Paul also reminds us that we’re not just working for the Lord, we’re participating in His work. It’s His mission, His power, His purpose. We are invited to be vessels through which He moves. When we realize it’s His work, it reframes even the most ordinary tasks as part of something divine.
Are My Efforts Worthwhile When They Go Unnoticed?
Paul ends the verse with this assurance: “Forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” He doesn’t say our work will always be appreciated or noticed. In fact, it often won’t be. But he says it is never wasted, not when it’s done in Christ.
There is great comfort in knowing that God sees every act of love, every moment of quiet sacrifice. Hebrews 6:10 tells us God is not unjust to forget our labor of love. Even something as simple as offering a cup of water in Christ’s name has a reward (Matthew 10:42). If that matters to God, then so does your late-night prayer, your quiet faithfulness, and your persistence when no one else sees.
During a trip to Togo, a church’s financial gift to struggling believers made a lasting difference. The impact was felt deeply, and though those givers may never meet the recipients, their labor of love is not forgotten certainly not by God.
Stories like William Borden and Jim Elliot highlight that a life poured out for Christ is never wasted. Both men died young after surrendering to missions, yet their testimonies continue to inspire generations. The world may call it foolishness, but eternity calls it faithful.
Conclusion
Is it worth it to serve the Lord? Absolutely. Whether we’re tired, unseen, or unsure, we are promised that nothing done for Christ is in vain. Because Jesus lives, our work lives on. Every act of service, when rooted in His calling and done in His strength, echoes into eternity.
So remain faithful when it would be easier to quit. Serve abundantly when it’s tempting to do the minimum. Trust that God sees, God remembers, and God rewards. Life is brief, eternity is real, and Jesus is worthy. Let us press on steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
