LIGHT FOR THE REWARDING LIFE

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly GREAT REWARD” – Genesis 15:1b

Abraham the Father of Faith, received LIGHT for the REWARDING LIFE: “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly GREAT REWARD” (Gen.15:1). In this first mention of the word “reward” in the Bible, God revealed life’s greatest reward: HIMSELF – His Presence, His Peace, His Wisdom, His Power, and His Blessings. He gave several promises to Abram, but the ultimate promise was that He would be Abram’s Reward. What we learn is that although life as a follower of God is sometimes difficult – as even Abram was in the midst of a tough season, the greatest prize is God Himself. When we receive Him, we receive everything He is; hence, the Rewarding Life is crucial to the Maximized Life.

There is something deep within the human nature that pushes to pursue a prize, pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into getting the reward. Athletes stretch their bodies to the limit in hopes of winning a gold medal. Couples endure the grueling work involved in being rewarded with a harmonious home. Salespersons go the extra mile to land a generous commission or bonus. Hikers trek challenging mountain trails for the prize of a glorious vista view. The more valuable the reward, the more obstacles we’re willing to overcome and the more laser-focused we will be. Rewards motivate us and call us into pursuit. Our Lord Jesus confirms this truth in Matthew 6:33, urging us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” and then God will ensure we have everything we need. This is the secret to the Rewarding Life.

God is the Rewarder: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a REWARDER of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb.11:6). The Pursuit of God is always worth the exceedingly great reward of His Presence.

Our lives are filled with many choices of how to spend our time, energy, and resources. Some people live for money and possessions, amassing as much as they can; while some invest their time in education or entertainment, hoping to find long-lasting value and delight. How do we make the most or best use of our choices in life? How do we maximize life?

Christ promises to reward certain spiritual investment choices: Faith-filled Prayer and Fasting (Mt.6:6,17-18); Compassion for the Needy (Mt.25:37-40); Bearing insults and hatred for the Name of Christ (Lk.6:22-23; Rom.8:38-39); Love for our enemies (Luke 6:35; 23:34); Generous giving (Lk.6:38; Jam.1:17); Hospitality that cannot be repaid (Lk.14: 12-14); Quality service and labour as unto God (Col.3:23-24; 1Cor.15:58; Heb.6:10); Endurance through pressures in ministry (2Cor.4: 17-18); Faithfulness in few things (Mt.25:21). Faithfulness through trials (Jam.1:12; 1Pet.1:6-7); Faithfulness to the Truth (2Jh.1:7-8); and Well-doing (Gal.6:9). These are expressions of the Maximized Life!