Reward Offered

“There is a reward for whoever finds Dad’s keys first.” These words, occasionally spoken by my mom when I was growing up, were like music to my ears! You might think that I would have looked just as diligently for the keys before the reward was offered—when I first heard they were missing. And, truthfully, I did look. But there was something about the promise of a reward that added zeal to my search.

In Hebrews 11:6, God promises a reward for those who diligently seek Him: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6) Faith is believing that God is who He has declared Himself to be and that He rewards those who will seek to know Him personally.

But it goes a step further—faith is actually reaching for the reward. In other words, if we truly believe that God rewards those who seek Him, and if we count that reward worthy of the effort, it will affect our actions. We will make seeking Him a priority.

God does not delight in our “going through the motions” of spiritual disciplines or ministry merely for our own affirmation that we are a “good Christian.” But He does delight in us, by faith, taking action to reach for the rewards He offers.

Scripture is full of promises of God’s rewards, but here are two specific areas He has promised to bless:

A relationship with God

Have you ever sought out a relationship with someone and been rejected? That will never happen with God! The heart of the Gospel message is that through Christ, we have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He invites us to come directly to Him to pour out our hearts and receive His grace (Hebrews 4:16). And He specifically promises to reward those who seek Him earnestly and expectantly (Hebrews 11:6).

There is a world of difference between reading your Bible to check a duty off a task list or reading your Bible to seek God, find answers from Him, and grow in your faith. The first process is simply a motion of responsibility. The second is a process of faith.

Faith says, “I believe God will reward me for seeking Him, so I am going to open His Word and spend time daily growing in my relationship with Him.”

Serving others

It’s all too easy to get shortsighted when presented with a request to serve—to fail to see beyond the needs of others to the opportunity to serve God. While others may overlook our efforts or sacrifices to serve, God sees it all. And He promises to reward our service: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).

Faith, then, is saying, “I believe God will reward me for serving Him, so I am going to help in the nursery or visit a shut-in or serve in a children’s class.”

Faith is action

When my mom offered a reward for my dad’s keys, I believed she meant it. The reward was usually small—maybe a quarter or a special treat. But I valued it enough to act.

Faith in God also begins with a belief that God is genuine and that His promises are real—that when He offers a reward, He means it. But faith doesn’t end there. Faith always acts—reaching with diligence for the reward God has promised.

 

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