Our Utmost for His Highest

God's service is not easy and cheap. It may cost us dearly, but we are called to give our very best to the work of the kingdom. A good example comes from the life of the famous British soldier General Gordon. Because of his work in China in the nineteenth century, the government wanted to reward him with money and titles, but he refused all those honors. He was finally persuaded to accept a medal inscribed with his various military engagements. After his death, this medal could not be found. He had had it melted down and the proceeds given to the poor children of Manchester during a particularly severe famine. He wrote in his diary the following words: "The last and only thing I have in this world that I value I have given over to the Lord Jesus Christ."