“Well done, my good servant! his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” Luke 19:17
In this parable and a similar one in Matthew (25:14-30), we see when Jesus returns he rewards his faithful servants with authority and the extent of the authority is directly related to the servant’s actions while on earth. We find this thought of ruling elsewhere. “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on earth” (Revelation 5:10).
We also find in Scripture phrases like “richly rewarded” (Hebrews 10:35), “great is your reward” (Luke 6:23), “rewarded fully” (2 John 8) and also references to crowns as a reward. Paul unashamedly encouraged his readers to go for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). The idea of rewards and future blessings is a strong motivator for Paul.
Conversely, the loss of reward is also mentioned, “the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
We are encouraged to be like Moses. “… he (Moses) refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:2).
Likewise, we look ahead to our reward.
I’m not sure that most Christians consider the fact there are rewards on offer. Perhaps it goes against a poverty mentality that many of us have (Cant have money and be spiritual subsquently can’t be rewarded)
is this a fair statement?
I’m not sure that most Christians consider the fact there are rewards on offer. Perhaps it goes against a poverty mentality that many of us have (Cant have money and be spiritual subsquently can’t be rewarded)
is this a fair statement?
I agree that most Christians are unaware of the fact there are rewards on offer.
Perhaps because of a poverty mentality or perhaps because we often reward the wrong people here on earth eg. We reward people who are faithful and don’t rock the boat. We don’t reward those who take a step of faith. Sometimes we even criticize those who are fruitful (eg Hillsong).
Our whole understanding of rewards is somewhat warped. Worldly rewards can so often have a negative effect as “Punished by Rewards” points out. (Good book, have you read it yet?)
I agree that most Christians are unaware of the fact there are rewards on offer.
Perhaps because of a poverty mentality or perhaps because we often reward the wrong people here on earth eg. We reward people who are faithful and don’t rock the boat. We don’t reward those who take a step of faith. Sometimes we even criticize those who are fruitful (eg Hillsong).
Our whole understanding of rewards is somewhat warped. Worldly rewards can so often have a negative effect as “Punished by Rewards” points out. (Good book, have you read it yet?)
Lol it’s on my shelf and last i checked the title was very interesting.
I completely agree we get punished for rocking the boat. My gosh…i got an ear full about such actions today.
Go Hillsong!
Lol it’s on my shelf and last i checked the title was very interesting.
I completely agree we get punished for rocking the boat. My gosh…i got an ear full about such actions today.
Go Hillsong!