ETERNAL REWARDS
Denise Linton
Today's Scripture: “If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.” 1 Corinthians 3:14, NLT
Theme: Our investments matter.
BEING MORE
After 13 years of applying to many different schools, I was finally offered a position and achieved my dream of becoming a college instructor teaching sociology. Upon starting my first courses, all the basic information was given to me: the textbook, pre-made tests, and guidelines on how to teach the material. After a year of teaching, I realized that I could continue to teach the basic material provided and still call myself a college instructor, or I could strive to make a bigger impact on the students’ lives.
Over the past five years, I have continually searched for diverse ways to help students apply the information they are learning to real life situations, to offer my experiences and insight, and to incorporate my own material and tests. My reward has been student evaluations that continually report they see society and the world around them in a completely unique way and repeated comments about how much my class has impacted their lives.
NOT JUST CALLING OURSELVES CHRISTIANS
Once we’ve accepted Christ’s salvation, we can call ourselves Christians. God promises that when we are saved, we will have a home in heaven for eternity. If we stay on the same path or not, we can still call ourselves Christians. But the Bible also commands, urges, and demonstrates that we “store up treasure” and seek to earn rewards and have a rich entrance into heaven. The Bible is overflowing with statements that teach us we can gain or lose rewards in heaven based upon how we live here on earth.
Does your daily life reflect what God has done for you? At work, do you sacrifice for God, promoting purpose, holiness, worship, praise, and mercy? Is your love for God visible in your actions within your family? Good works are expressions of gratitude in believers’ hearts. They are the Fruit of the Spirit: love, kindness, joy, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
SALVATION AND REWARDS
The difference between salvation and rewards is significant. Salvation is “by grace through faith” and apart from our works (Ephesians 2:8). Rewards are given to those who are already saved. Where you invest your gifts on earth affects your eternity in heaven.
One reason the quality of the work matters is that there will be a test. Paul tells us that Christ will judge the value of the work, not the value of the people (Romans 8:1). This will be based on how you have used your gifts to build up others, show mercy, promote God in your life, and live by the Fruit of the Spirit. If the work survives (meaning if you are making a difference in other’s lives both now and for eternity) and if you are focusing your work on Christ, you will receive a reward. The Bible does not specifically describe the reward, but Paul mentions praise from the Lord as an outcome (1 Corinthians 4:5). “Well done” seems like a great reward from Jesus.
Make it Personal: Are you content with the fact that you are a Christian and are guaranteed to have a home in eternity with God? Do you want more? Use your gifts to build others up. Share your faith and introduce others to Jesus. Become more generous with your time and resources. Join a serving team, investing in both the church and the people. Ask yourself daily: “Am I applying the Fruit of the Spirit?” Identify where you can make a bigger impact. Your investments matter...both on earth and in heaven.
Pray: Father God, I don’t want to just call myself a Christian; I want more. I want to live my life with You as my purpose, using the gifts that You have given me to invest in the church and in Your people. Thank You for Your grace and the salvation that You freely gave to me.
Read: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 4:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” 1 Peter 2:6 (ESV)