“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
God not only rewards those who earnestly seek him but we must expect that he will. This isn’t the completely altruistic (unselfish) attitude we might think God wants us to have. We must believe we are rewarded for seeking God.
In the book of Job, Satan challenges God with the question, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (Job 1:9) Satan suggests Job only honours the Lord for the rewards God provides. He believes that Job is only interested in God for what he can get out of the relationship. Ultimately Satan was proved wrong.
On one hand, we expect God to reward us but on the other, we don’t honour God simply for those rewards. To illustrate this balance it’s helpful to remember that Jesus told us to call God our Father. At Christmas, many of us spend time with our parents, because of who they are, but probably we also expected they will bless us with a gift. We would visit them regardless of whether they gave us a gift or not but it is a joy to receive from them.
Likewise, God wants to bless us but often we miss his blessings because we don’t expect them or look out for them. God’s blessings come in many ways—through the beauty of nature, through amazing coincidences that only he could have orchestrated, through the blessing of another person.
Let’s acknowledge God is our Rewarder and be on the lookout for those blessings that only he could have provided.
through it all, it keeps on coming. even when i don’t ask for it. he’s always got my best interests in hand and already worked out even before i ask. even when i don’t ask. even when i don’t come. because he’s like that. and it makes the time together that much sweeter. because i always have so much to be thankful for.
ealgzye
through it all, it keeps on coming. even when i don’t ask for it. he’s always got my best interests in hand and already worked out even before i ask. even when i don’t ask. even when i don’t come. because he’s like that. and it makes the time together that much sweeter. because i always have so much to be thankful for.
ealgzye
Yes, God is more willing to bless us than we are to be blessed.
I’m currently reading Desiring God by John Piper and although I don’t agree with everything he says he is very big on God wanting to bless us.
Jon, do you know of John Piper? I think he is from your part of America.
Yes, God is more willing to bless us than we are to be blessed.
I’m currently reading Desiring God by John Piper and although I don’t agree with everything he says he is very big on God wanting to bless us.
Jon, do you know of John Piper? I think he is from your part of America.
as a matter of fact, his church is less than 10 miles from where i live. and i have even read that book. it has been about 6 years, so i don’t remember a whole lot. actually, the only things that stick out off the top of my head are the fact that he calls himself a “christian hedonist”, and that he had a footnote that went on for more than a page…
have you heard of another pastor/author from my neck of the woods named greg boyd?
yjliofo
as a matter of fact, his church is less than 10 miles from where i live. and i have even read that book. it has been about 6 years, so i don’t remember a whole lot. actually, the only things that stick out off the top of my head are the fact that he calls himself a “christian hedonist”, and that he had a footnote that went on for more than a page…
have you heard of another pastor/author from my neck of the woods named greg boyd?
yjliofo
and it also says that it is impossible to please god without faith. impossible to please him without believing that he will indeed reward those who seek. but moreover, i think, believing that he desires to reward us who seek him. that it is his great joy and pleasure to do so. which, if i recall, is the heart of what piper is talking about.
qhxfjqkr
do i have faith? real faith? or do i trust in my paycheck? hmm…
durwg
and it also says that it is impossible to please god without faith. impossible to please him without believing that he will indeed reward those who seek. but moreover, i think, believing that he desires to reward us who seek him. that it is his great joy and pleasure to do so. which, if i recall, is the heart of what piper is talking about.
qhxfjqkr
do i have faith? real faith? or do i trust in my paycheck? hmm…
durwg
Jon, I haven’t heard of Greg Boyd. I checked my Christian book suppliers and they carry some of his books but none of the titles were known to me. You seemed to have remembered Piper very well, even the long foot notes! Many of Piper’s ideas are quite new to me and I’m still working my way through them.
Jon, I haven’t heard of Greg Boyd. I checked my Christian book suppliers and they carry some of his books but none of the titles were known to me. You seemed to have remembered Piper very well, even the long foot notes! Many of Piper’s ideas are quite new to me and I’m still working my way through them.
one of boyd’s books, satan and the problem of evil, challenged my thinking and outlook on life greatly. it’s thick reading, but, in my opinion, worth the trouble.
qpbndk
one of boyd’s books, satan and the problem of evil, challenged my thinking and outlook on life greatly. it’s thick reading, but, in my opinion, worth the trouble.
qpbndk
but the best boyd primer, for “laypeople”, would be god of the possible. if you’re interested, it would be a good place to start.
xaxzexio
but the best boyd primer, for “laypeople”, would be god of the possible. if you’re interested, it would be a good place to start.
xaxzexio
I’ll keep Greg in mind. Currently I have a pile of books I’m working through plus I keep finding interesting things at the library!
I’ll keep Greg in mind. Currently I have a pile of books I’m working through plus I keep finding interesting things at the library!
yeah, i know how that works. i currently have several books i’m “getting to”. and some of them have been on that list for years!
yeah, i know how that works. i currently have several books i’m “getting to”. and some of them have been on that list for years!