God’s Promises Concerning Rewards

Matthew 19:27 Then Peter said to Jesus, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” (NLT)

Some of us may well ask the same thing.  We have given up a lot — careers, families, jobs, status, plans, pride — in our spiritual journey.  Is it really worth it?  Is there some sort of reward in store for us?

There’s no getting around it: People are motivated by rewards. There may be those who think the idea of being motivated by a reward isn’t spiritual.  But God has filled the Bible with promises of amazing rewards.  He makes these promises to keep us from giving up hope, to inspire us to persist in the face of trouble and persecution.

God certainly understands what makes us tick and built the desire for reward into our hearts.  He created us with the desire to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:12).

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. (NLT)

The good news is that our labors and sacrifices are not in vain.  Our efforts will be rewarded.

Hebrews 6:10a God is fair. He won’t forget what you’ve done or the love you’ve shown for him. (GW)

The Bible has quite a bit to say about this because God knows we need an answer.  We want to know what we’re going to get out of serving Him.  So throughout the Bible it talks about rewards, and I am confident that when God promises a reward, we will find it extremely rewarding.

Ephesians 3:20a God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (MSG)

The simple fact is that God has promised to reward us.  Belief in rewards is part of the Christian faith.  It is a doctrinal truth found throughout the Bible.

Hebrews 11:6 Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him. (ICB)

So this morning we’re going to first look at what the Bible says concerning rewards and then look at the ways God wants to reward us.