Unsplash image
Do you see how proud a scholar is when they march onto the stage to collect their award? You can call it a feather in their cap. Rewards are positive things that have a positive impact on us. Words associated with rewards include awards, prize, merit, accolade, bonus, honour, gain, merit, wages, remuneration and crown.
Rewards do not float from the sky like a dandelion seed head or a crisp autumn leaf. There is a lot of work that goes in before we can attain our reward. The keyword here is work. We have to work, work and work in order to gain our reward. Do you know that the first man Adam was commissioned to work? In Genesis 2:15 we read: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Additionally, when we work at something and see the fruit of our labour, we get a deep sense of fulfilment and joy.
Attitude is just as important; we need to display the right attitude in order to reap our reward. This is called the reward of humility. Proverbs 22:4 says, “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour and life.” The Lord looks deep into our heart and knows our thoughts and deeds. In the Beatitudes, we read about the humble people. Matthew 5:3 Amplified Version says, “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”
Sometimes we work laboriously at something but it seems like others do not appreciate our efforts. Always remember whom you are working for and take heart. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
It matters a lot where we put all our energy and effort. Sometimes we can be doing a whole lot of things but they are not profitable for kingdom building. Remember the parable of the rich fool who built more barns to store his grain. He was so proud of his achievement and thought that he was self-sufficient. The Lord called him a fool because that same night his soul was required of him – read Luke 12:16-21. In the book of Ruth, we read how sacrificial the daughter-in-law was towards her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:12 reads, “May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”
Here are more scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments to reinforce the point:
“Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him.” Isaiah 40:10
“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.” Matthew 16:27
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12
So, what is the ultimate reward? Romans 2:6-7 says, “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honour and immortality, he will give eternal life.” Is that not something worth striving for – a reward that lasts all eternity? ◊
Linda Pearl
About the Author
