One of the ways that worked best to get our children to do, or not do something, was to reward them. Okay, it was a bribe. But it worked! As adults we still ask the question “What’s in it for me?” floating around in the back of our heads. That’s the wrong motivation to do something right. Doing something good for the wrong motive is still bad (James 4:17). Some religions bribe their followers with promises of reward in heaven for certain activities on earth. Others threaten people with fearful consequences of not doing what they say. Where does God stand on all this?
You would think God would say that we should serve Him out of love and devotion only, and He does. But He also lets know the benefits of living as He wants us to live. He lets us know the benefits and rewards of living a faithful, obedient life. These are not bribes, He is just stating the natural consequences of following Him. He wants us to invest our lives in something that matters now and pays big dividends for all eternity. Who wouldn’t want that! Here are some examples of how we benefit when we follow the guidelines of the One who created us:
Praying and fasting. God promises to reward those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) in this life and the next. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.…But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6, 17-18) He doesn’t promise He will give us everything we ask for – but that’s a good thing!
Help for the needy. Jesus was very compassionate to those who were suffering and He will bless us when we do the same. …Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)
Godly response to persecution. God promises to bring special blessing when we suffer because of our faithfulness to Him. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)
Showing kindness to those who mistreat you. Follow Jesus’ example. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35)
Give generously. All that we have comes from God and is to be used for Him. He is generous with us and we need to be generous as well. He will reward us for it. …Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38)
Hospitality. God rewards those who show hospitality to those who can’t return it. He said so the man who had invited Him for a meal, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)
Faithfully carrying out your duties. Do your best with whatever you do, no matter how small or difficult. God doesn’t look at the results but at our heart. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Faithful to the truth of God’s Word. There is a special blessing for those who learn and apply God’s Word to their lives so they aren’t misled. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. (2 John 1:7-8)
Can you imagine! God gives us the best thing ever – salvation for free. Then on top of that He rewards us when we respond in obedience and faithfulness. What an awesome God we serve!
Which activities above are you strong at? Where are you weak? Thank God for freely rewarding you after freely giving you salvation!
SPANISH UPDATE: “Dear Dr. Jerry. Thank you for your gesture of love in Christ towards me as a person and my family and ministry. I may lack more words of praise for what you do with the materials you send for translation. But the truth is that each one is a glorious blessing from God, for the topics they deal with. I am sending them to groups of Pastors of which I am a part and with a very good response from some who receive them. May God continue to abundantly bless your ministry, life and everything always. We pray for you. Thank you very much. Juan” I believe God is going to increase our pastor training ministry among Spanish-speaking church leaders in South America and elsewhere. This is very much needed. Pray God opens the door for us to help train these dedicated men of God. Please pray for much-needed finances for this as well.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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