Obedient children – what comes after Acts 2:38:  ”Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
 Added to the church by God Himself.
             Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

He that hath an ear let him hear…
    He that ENDURETH witll be saved (He who overcomes – Rev. to the seven churches)
    He that takes up the cross and FOLLOWS CHRIST
    Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Not he that has the most converts
      Making converts is a good thing but it doesn’t accrue merit badges
Not he that has has done the most “  good works”
     A thing to be done, but that doesn’t accrue merit badges, either.
Not he that has built the biggest buildings and has the largest congregation
      It may show a growing congregation, but what are they growing TO?

Not the one that has been a good business man and accrued millions
   ….but the one who has taken those millions to  feed the hungry, clothe the naked, sustain the widows and orphans….”   Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. “

In our times and our society, we do not sell all and give to a common community, but do you shy away,  sorrowful because you have much wealth?  Do you “withhold”, because you don’t trust those in need? (that is not your concern but God that judged); because you are looking for something BIGGER to accomplish? (or bury it because you know your master is a hard man?); because you think they don’t deserve it ? (God knows the heart) ; because you JUST CAN’T LET GO OF IT (and excuse yourself as being prudent)?

This done, not out of duty per se, but out of love for God’s Royal Law  ((Psa 119:97 - MEM.    O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  119:98  Thou through thy commandments has made me wiser than mine enemies:  for they are ever with me. 
and Gal 5:13,14 – For Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 Jas 2:16 – and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
              — the one that has given a drink of water to the least of these, Christ’s brethren; the one that has clothed the naked and fed the hungry when the opportunity is presented to them; the one that has given comfort; the one that has forgiven 70 X 7 and has as well led one back without overwhelming them in sorrow with harsh words.

Why do we choke on a gnat and SWALLOW A CAMEL?
Mat 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.