The low motive would aid those in need to set your circle of self around the principle. Maybe even seeking at the least a reward rather quickly as possible. Then perhaps surround your thoughts about what you have done for those in need, and every now and then, mention how thoughtful you are to friends or family. Make yourself known.
The high motive would look like remembering how God sees mankind to preserve and help each other, where His love runs deep and quickest to those in need. Then you would have a reward that is only known to God for your deed or care, which will come in Gods timing with His ultimate favor. Gospel of Matthew tells us, "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." We are to do things in love, especially for those in need, without even considering repayment! Then to add to it, never mention it to anyone that may hinder your reward from God.
Let's look a little further into the verse "you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." By no means does this suggest that the unjust people of the world are not raised up, saved and given hope to rebuild their lives, such as the bride-to-be I mentioned earlier. It speaks of God's blessedness in you reap what you sew. Gods rewards are always related to Heaven, and where our treasures should be. And if you think about it, where else is it more fitting to practice God's eternal love in mankind but through His followers, those who place their trust in Him and Lord and Savior. God does not work alone! He needs us, whom He created! A ship in port is safe; but that is not what ships are built for. Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 tells us But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
God never promises our walk with Him would be easy. When we place our faith and trust in Him, no matter what, He will be with us, sustain us, and strengthen us to endure all things.
Coming to find our place at God's table simply means we are not only cherished by His love and compassion and chosen to be His saints, but we are also forgiven, redeemed, and called upon to serve. We should come with humble hearts, with a full intent to obey God's laws and commandments, no matter how strenuous they seem. Think about when we take communion. We reject no one to come and join in the Heavenly banquet. All are welcome. But its vital to remember that God will NOT be mocked, and if our intent or motivation is questionable in God's eyes, then our reward will reflect that. It may be nothing.
As I mentioned earlier about favoritism, The epistle of James tells us, My brothers and sisters, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.
God is no respecter of persons. He does not respect you more than others because you tithe more, pray more, and have a more generious heart. God is interested in each of us individually with what we have and willing to give. Not what someone else does.
So what do we do? What can we do? Simply put, we clear the pathway for God to work in our lives. Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
Jesus is speaking figuratively that whatever is preventing us from doing Gods work, hindering us to sin, and destroying our testimony of salvation, remove it immediately! Let each of us think about how we respond to God's direction in coming to the aid of our less fortunate, those in need, and everyone oppressed as if it's in our power to do so with God's help.
In full reality, my friends, we each are in debt to God for all He has done. We can never repay the debt, even if we tried our best. But God doesn't ask for repayment! He asks for our obedience. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Let's not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let's do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
In all things, show yourself as an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified. And when you question whether or not someone is really in need, think about this, all of us require something, and none of us are deserving. But it is by Grace alone do we find everlasting hope. Amen.