as well….

Now imagine that you are the top employee at your job, you make the most sales, save the most money, are the friendliest, most efficient employee.  You are the one who stays late and comes in early.  You always have a smile on your face and always encourage your co-workers. And you take pride in that.  It’s hard work but you always want to put your best foot forward.

So it’s the end of the year and your boss calls everyone in the conference room to make an announcement.  To celebrate a great year your company has decided to pay for a huge end of the year party.  And their making a really big to do about it.  It’s not like last years party that was catered by White Castle.  This is top notch.  5 course meal.  It’s going to be at the Hilton downtown. And the company has hired limo’s for each of the employees and their spouse for the night.  To top it all off at the end of the night.  The president of the company will be recognizing the employee of the year.

And this is where you light up.  You’re a shoe-in.  You’ve done the best, made the company the most money, never been late, never called in sick, never complained.  Always did everything above and beyond what you needed to do. And now finally you are going to be recognized for it.  You are finally going to be noticed and given the respect and recognition that you have always deserved.  From here on out, everyone is going to know how big of a deal you are because the president of the business is going to bring you up on stage and recognize you in front of everyone.  Everyone will jump to their feet in applause for how inspiring you are.  Your spouse will have a small tear well up insider their eye and a smile that says, “I’m so proud of you.”

The night of the party comes and you’re completely beside yourself.  You’re all dressed up in your finest and ready to go.  The limosine is over the top as you sip a glass of champagne to toast to a great year with your loved one.  You arrive at the Hilton and everything looks beautiful.  You feel important getting out of the limosine and several people flash glances at you.  You can see them mouthing the words, “Who is that”  You appreciate their attention and walk into the Ballroom to meet your co-workers.  Dinner is served and it’s the best you’ve ever had.  There is even a three piece string group that is playing softly in the background, but none of this experience even compares to the recognition that you are about to receive.  As the night draws on the president of the company makes his way to the microphone.  “This is it, you think.”  You shoot a look at your spouse and they smile, knowing how much this means to you.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming out tonight and for working so hard to make this company thrive all year long.  We had a record setting year and I couldn’t have done it without all of you.  But there is one person in particular that I would like to recognize to night.  This person has shown the kind of work ethic that reminds me of what I used to be when I started this company.  They are what this company is all about…hard work, dedication, and a real team player.”  A smirk draws across your face.  “The award for employee of the year 2008 goes to.”

“Bob the janitor”

A silence goes across the crowd.

“what?” you think as you sit back down as you have already come out of your chair to accept the award.  “How could this be…Bob?”

Now normally you’re quiet and subdued, but not now.  This is crazy.  There is no way this is happening.  You’re outraged. “I deserve that reward.  I’m the one who outperformed everyone this year. That award was meant for me!”

The president looks down from the stage at you a bit puzzled, but at the same time, not surprised.

“Ok, You can have one as well”

Another employee stands up and yells, “well if they get one, I want one too.”

“Ok, You can have one as well.”

At this point, you have no idea what to think.  What in the world does he mean by, “you can have one AS WELL?  I should be the only one receiving this reward, not AS WELL?  AS WELL means I wasn’t intended as the original recipient of the award. I was an after thought.

The award is no less valuable than before.  You could still go home and say you received the award for employee of the year, but it throws you off to know that it wasn’t directed only for your benefit. It disappoints you that you aren’t recognized and rewarded the way you saw fit.  You received the reward AS WELL.

Matthew 6:33 “Seek (greek word “zeteo” which means to crave) first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you AS WELL.”

One of the most primary lessons that we learn about the kingdom of God is that it is first for the glorification of God.  That is why there is the as well, because if we have our craving set on the kingdom, we care less and less about what we get out of the deal.  We care more and more that God is lifted up and His kingdom expanded and deepened.  Crave the kingdom!