2/05/2007

Heavenly Rewards

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. -Mat 6:3-4

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. -Mat 6:6

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18that 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. -Mat 6:17

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. -Luk 6:23

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. -Luk 6:35

If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. -1 Cor 3:14

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. -Col 3:24

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. -Heb 11:6

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. -Heb 11:26

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. -2 John 1:8

The nations raged,but your wrath came,and the time for the dead to be judged,and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,and those who fear your name,both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth. -Rev 11:18


This is just a quick sampling of New Testament verses with the word "reward" in them. I have struggled for years with the notion that God wants to reward me. God offers rewards and wants to shower them upon us! These verses make it abundantly clear this is true. The important thing is recognizing these are not usually earthly rewards. Yes, some Christians are blessed with earthly treasures of health and wealth. But God's rewards are usually more valuable than that--treasures in heaven. This is such a profound thought in my mind that I can't really get a grip on it. We don't need to serve merely out of obligation--we can serve, knowing by faith that God will reward us. We can give sacrificially, knowing that God will return the blessing a hundredfold. We can die for Him, knowing we will hear the greatest reward imaginable: "Well done good and faithful servant."

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