Genesis 29:15-30 “And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.”

Having left home in fear, Jacob sought refuge in the tent of his Uncle Laban. Jacob was not there long until Laban asked him two questions; “shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?” and “what shall thy wages be?” These two questions reveal this great truth, “All men serve something and all men serve for something!” We will assume that the object of your service is the Lord Jesus Christ. The next question that cries for our attention is “Why, What shall thy wages be?” Jacob would work for the same man (Laban), for the same thing (wife), and for the same amount of time (seven years) with only one drastic difference; motivation! Jacob worked the first seven years because of love and the second seven years because of a law. For a lot of Christians, Jacob’s story is their story! They start out serving the Lord because they love Him. They couldn’t get over the fact that He would love them, die for them, save them, and ultimately one day take them to heaven. Then, one day love changed into the law, it is no longer that I get to serve God, but I have to serve God! What began as a willing choice is now a woeful chain. Are you trying to pay for our salvation, earn His blessings, or gets some rewards? These are all futile efforts that gain you nothing! God wants you to serve Him because you love Him! Love or law; what’s your motivation?