Rewards and Gifts

To reward is to give to a person in response to a particular action that person has undertaken. This is opposed to a gift which is something given in response to no particular action on the part of the receiver. Our salvation is a free gift from God and is in no way a reward, but it is interesting that God does promise rewards in response to certain actions. These rewards from a review of the below scriptures appear to be primarily associated with our time in heaven, although some verses pertain to our time on earth and with some examples time periods of reward are unclear. It is important to remember that Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world (John 16:33)." This is not to say God doesn't bless us in wonderful ways here on earth. He said also, "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly(John 10:10)." This pertains to our life here, I believe, as well as our future lives. But our home is in heaven.

Rewards in Heaven:
-in response to persecution Matt 5:12; Like 6:23
-treasures in heaven implied in Matt 6:19 (after preceding verses on giving, praying, fasting in secret)
-works for Christ result in reward 1 Cor 3:14
-verse implies rewards in future 2 John 8
-future reward for perseverance Heb 10:35; James 1:12; Rev 2:10
-Moses looked ahead to future reward abandoning earthly treasures and taking on humiliation Heb 11:26
-inheritance as reward Col 3:24
-saints reward at end last day Rev 11:18
-eternal life as reward for obedience John 8:51
-parable implies reward at coming of master for faithful servant Matt 25:20-23; Luke 19:12-19
-for shepherding the flock 1 Pe 5:4
-reward for longing for Christ's appearing 2 Tim 4:8
-for overcoming-no second death Rev 2:11
-for overcoming-eat from tree of life Rev 2:7
-for overcoming-eat from hidden manna, recieve stone w/ new name on it Rev 2:17
-for overcoming-authority over nations Rev 2:26,27
-for overcoming-dressed in white, name not blotted out from the Book of Life, acknowledged by Christ Rev 3:4,5
-for overcoming-made a pillar in the temple, names of God, Jesus and city of God written on him Rev 3:12
-for overcoming-a seat gifted on Christ's throne. Rev 3:21
-Christ bring's his reward with him at his second coming Rev 22:12, Isa 62:11, Isa 40:10
-for good deeds done while in the body 2 Cor 5:10

Rewards on Earth:
-honor among men for giving to needy obviously Matt 6:2
-honor among mend for praying obviously Matt 6:5
-honor among men for fasting obviously Matt 6:16
-humility, fear of the Lord lead to reward apparently on earth Prov 22:4
-righteousness rewarded with good (on earth implied) Prov 13:21

Rewards for:
-persecution for Christ Matt 5:12
-giving to poor secretly Matt 6:2
-praying in private Matt 6:5
-fasting in secret Matt 6:18
-receiving a prophet or righteous man Matt 10:41
-giving a cup of water in Christ's name to a child/disciple Matt 10:42; Mk 9:41
-loving enemies Luke 6:35; Matt 5:46; Prov 25:22
-voluntarily preaching the gospel 1 Cor 9:17
-earnestly seeking God Heb 11:6
-good conduct Jer 32:19; 2 Cor 5:10
-keeping the Lord's ordinances Ps 19:9-11; Prov 13:13; John 8:51
-righteousness, faithfulness 1 Sam 26:23; Prov 11:18

Reward For Believers.

God is the creator of joy.

Obedience to God requires faith that God exists and belief that God rewards those who are obedient. To seek the reward God offers is a sign of faith in the reward giver.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross....(Hebrews 12:2).

Does God want us to be joyful? Does God want us to be obedient without promising us reward for doing so? Is the Christian to be motivated by duty to do what's right or by personal benefit if what's right is done? I have always thought that we are obligated to do God's will, to be obedient to him solely because he is God, and we are obligated. But, does a man (or woman) ever act in ways that bring no self benefit?

Pascal said, "All men seek happiness without exception. They all aim at this goal however different the means they use to attain it. . . .They will never make the smallest move but with this as its goal. This is the motive of all the actions of all men, even those who contemplate suicide." Pascal was a Christian. He saw the nature of man and the bent of the word of God.

Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Part of faith is believing the promises of reward that God has given. If we act with a sense of duty and without a sense of the blessing God has for us, we forfeit the joy God has planned. The tendency is to become lukewarm in our walk with Christ. The problem is we don't often think of God offering reward for obedience. We only think of God's wrath toward disobedience.

God has planned and promised blessing (Malachi 3:10, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Corinthians 9:23-24), joy (Nehemia 8:10, Psalm 16:11, John 15:10-12), glory (1 Corinthians 2:7, Romans 8:17-18) and an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4) to those who believe. We should seek the rewards of God and rejoice in his provision for an "abundant life." (John 10:10).

"Resolved, To endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of." Jonathon Edwards.

See John Piper's profitable writing on Christian Hedonism which inspired much of this post.