Is it Wrong to be Rewards-Driven When Serving the Lord?

Is it Wrong to be Rewards-Driven When Serving the Lord?

“By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:24-27 WEB)

There was a man sometime back who said to me that it’s wrong to seek the eternal rewards when serving God.
He called them “toys” and said that he would rather serve out of pure love for Jesus. 

It sounds rather noble and pious of him, but what does the Bible say about eternal rewards and how we should view them in relation to serving the Lord?

The passage of the day shows Moses in the famous chapter in the epistle to the Hebrews featuring the ‘Heroes of Faith’.
The words of praise for Moses’ faith says that Moses looked to the reward. 
He counted the eternal rewards as far more valuable than the temporal riches that he could enjoy in Egypt, and the Holy Spirit recorded it as a demonstration of his faith. 

If it was wrong to serve the Lord and look forward to eternal rewards, then pray tell me why Moses is applauded for doing so? 
If that were true, he should be condemned for serving God with an ulterior motive and not be celebrated for his faith. 

Jesus Himself taught about eternal rewards, and told the listeners to lay up for themselves imperishable treasures in heaven instead of temporal treasures on earth. 

““Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 WEB)

If it were wrong to seek eternal rewards, then He wouldn’t have taught that. He would just say to focus on Him, love Him without desiring any reward other than Him. 

Jesus Himself taught about eternal rewards, and told the listeners to lay up for themselves imperishable treasures in heaven instead of temporal treasures on earth.

Looking forward to eternal rewards gives us hope to persevere through fiery trials

I believe that knowing the truth about eternal rewards actually increases our faith in Jesus. 
We wouldn’t know that God is good if there is no demonstration of His goodness. 
Just saying that He is good with no eventual proof is just a title with no action to back it up.

Instead we know that God is good because He has promised to reward our faith, time, effort and service with valuable eternal rewards which will determine our standard of living and happiness in New Jerusalem in the future. 

Knowing the sureness of our eternal rewards helps us to keep our faith alive especially when we’re walking through a valley of the shadow of death (trials and tribulations) on earth. 
It helps us to stay encouraged and hopeful in the midst of severe persecution. 

“Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:7-9 WEB)

Let’s face it, this world can be a cold place where evil is done to us. 
It is a reality that in some parts of the world, Christians are getting killed for their faith. 
Looking forward to eternal rewards can give us the strength to persevere in overcoming evil with good, even in the face of great injustice done to us. 

“Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21 WEB)

In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus sends a message to each of the seven churches of Asia. In each one, He encourages the church to persevere in faith even in the midst of difficulty, and He promises a reward for them to look forward to. 

The early church faced extreme persecution, not like our Christian walk today in the end times. 
I believe that the rewards Jesus declared helped them to remain hopeful through the fiery trials.

““Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12 WEB)

To us believers, Jesus promises rewards, not judgment. 
When we live with the sure confidence that we will be rewarded for responding correctly in the trials we experience on earth, we will be able to live an overcoming life on earth.

Being eternity-focused doesn’t mean living like a beggar on earth. 
Often when you live with the kingdom in mind and disdaining worldly riches, you will find that you will receive both eternal and temporal blessings. 
Living a life of faith for Jesus isn’t a torturous one - it is filled with goodness and mercy! 

“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 WEB)

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Pinterest Pinnable Image. To us believers, Jesus promises rewards, not judgment. When we live with the sure confidence that we will be rewarded for responding correctly in the trials we experience on earth, we will be able to live an overcoming life on earth.

I hope that you have been blessed by reading this post on "Is it Wrong to be Rewards-Driven When Serving the Lord?".

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