The Law of Rewards

1. Eternal rewards motivate us to invest wisely in God's kingdom

"What we do with our resources in this life is our autobiography."

Paradigm shift: Understanding eternal rewards changes our perspective on earthly wealth. Instead of viewing money and possessions as ends in themselves, we see them as means to invest in God's kingdom. This shift transforms our approach to stewardship, giving, and financial decision-making.

Biblical foundation: Jesus repeatedly taught about storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Paul emphasized the importance of building on the foundation of Christ with lasting materials (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). These teachings highlight the eternal significance of our earthly choices.

Practical application:

• Evaluate spending and giving habits in light of eternity
• Seek opportunities to invest in kingdom causes (e.g., missions, poverty alleviation, evangelism)
• View generosity as a way to transfer wealth from earth to heaven

2. Our earthly choices shape our eternal future

"Five minutes after we die every Christian will understand that heaven is our home and earth was simply a temporary lodging on the homeward journey."

Present impact on eternity: Every decision we make, especially regarding our resources, has lasting consequences. Our choices now determine our roles, responsibilities, and rewards in heaven. This understanding adds weight and significance to seemingly small daily decisions.

Urgency of action: Recognizing the finite nature of our earthly lives creates a sense of urgency. We have limited time to make eternal investments, and there are no second chances after death to improve our heavenly standing.

Key considerations:

• Time is a limited resource; use it wisely for eternal purposes
• Seemingly small acts of obedience and generosity accumulate eternal value
• View life decisions through the lens of their eternal impact

3. Heaven is a tangible place with real rewards

"Heaven will offer refreshing activity, productive and unthwarted—like Adam and Eve's work in Eden before sin brought the curse on the ground."

Concrete reality: Heaven is not a vague, ethereal existence but a physical place with tangible elements. This includes meaningful work, relationships, and rewards. Understanding this makes heaven more relatable and desirable.

Continuity with earthly life: Many aspects of our earthly existence will continue in heaven, but in perfected form. This includes creativity, leadership, and the enjoyment of God's creation. Our service and faithfulness on earth directly correlate to our roles and responsibilities in eternity.

Aspects of heavenly life:

• Productive work and responsibilities
• Deep, meaningful relationships
• Enjoyment of God's presence and creation
• Rewards for earthly faithfulness (e.g., crowns, positions of authority)

4. God's law of rewards: Faith determines destination, behavior determines rewards

"While our faith determines our eternal destination, our behavior determines our eternal rewards."

Two-fold judgment: Christians face two distinct judgments - one for salvation and another for rewards. Salvation is secured by faith alone, but rewards are earned through faithful service and obedience.

Motivation for obedience: Understanding this principle provides a powerful incentive for godly living. It ensures that no act of service or sacrifice for Christ goes unnoticed or unrewarded.

Key distinctions:

• Salvation: Free gift, received by faith, same for all believers
• Rewards: Earned (by God's grace), can be lost, differ among believers

5. Giving is not losing, but investing for eternity

"You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead."

Reframing generosity: Instead of viewing giving as a loss, we should see it as a transfer of assets from earth to heaven. This perspective transforms giving from a duty into an exciting investment opportunity.

Eternal returns: God promises exponential returns on our earthly investments in His kingdom. Jesus spoke of returns of "a hundred times" what is given up for His sake (Mark 10:29-30).

Principles of eternal investing:

• Give sacrificially, knowing the returns are guaranteed
• Look for opportunities to meet needs and support kingdom work
• View giving as a way to store up treasures in heaven

6. Delayed gratification in light of eternal rewards

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Long-term perspective: Adopting an eternal perspective helps us resist short-term temptations and pursue lasting rewards. This mindset enables us to make sacrifices now for greater future gain.

Faith-driven choices: Choosing delayed gratification requires faith in God's promises. It involves trusting that His rewards are far superior to any temporary earthly pleasure or possession.

Examples of delayed gratification:

• Foregoing luxury purchases to give more to missions
• Investing time in discipleship rather than solely pursuing career advancement
• Choosing simplicity to free up resources for kingdom purposes

7. God-given desires for pleasure, possessions, and power can be rightly directed

"Christianity proposes not to extinguish our natural desires. It promises to bring the desires under just control and direct them to their true object."

Redeemed desires: God created us with desires for pleasure, possessions, and power. These desires are not inherently sinful but can be misdirected. The goal is not to eliminate these desires but to redirect them toward their ultimate fulfillment in God's kingdom.

Eternal fulfillment: By pursuing these desires in God's way and timing, we can experience their truest and most lasting fulfillment in eternity.

Redirecting desires:

• Pleasure: From temporary indulgence to eternal joy in God's presence
• Possessions: From earthly accumulation to heavenly treasures
• Power: From self-exaltation to humble service and future authority in God's kingdom

8. The judgment seat of Christ: A time of accountability and reward

"We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

Sobering reality: Every believer will give an account of their life to Christ. This judgment is not about salvation but about rewards for faithful service and stewardship.

Motivation for faithfulness: The prospect of this judgment should inspire us to live intentionally and obediently. It reminds us that our choices and actions have eternal consequences.

Aspects of the judgment seat:

• Evaluation of motives, not just actions
• Rewards given for faithful service
• Potential loss of rewards for unfaithfulness or wasted opportunities

9. Using worldly wealth to gain eternal friends and dwellings

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

Strategic use of resources: Jesus encourages us to use our earthly wealth to impact lives for eternity. This involves investing in people's spiritual well-being and supporting kingdom work.

Eternal relationships: The people we impact through our generosity and service will welcome us in heaven. This creates a beautiful picture of eternal friendships formed through earthly stewardship.

Ways to invest in eternal friendships:

• Support missionaries and evangelistic efforts
• Give to organizations that meet both physical and spiritual needs
• Use personal resources to show hospitality and share the gospel

10. Obedience to God is both right and smart

"Obeying God is not only right, it's smart. It will always pay off in the end."

Wisdom of obedience: Following God's commands is not just morally correct but also practically beneficial. It aligns us with the reality of how God has designed the universe to work.

Long-term perspective: While obedience may sometimes involve short-term sacrifices, it always leads to long-term gain. This understanding helps us persist in faithfulness even when immediate results are not visible.

Benefits of obedience:

• Alignment with God's perfect will and design
• Protection from harmful consequences of sin
• Eternal rewards and commendation from God
• Increased capacity to enjoy God and His blessings

Last updated: August 9, 2024