Rewards are a motivator. Interestingly, God is a rewarder of his children who show loyalty to him. Hebrews 11:6 says, “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.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).
In Matthew 19:27, Peter was very direct with Jesus about what rewards they would get as disciples. He asked Jesus, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27 NKJV).
Jesus responded thus: “So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:30 NKJV).
Jesus said to his Jewish disciples, “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:28-30 NKJV).
Rewards motivate us as humans. Even Jesus was motivated by a reward. Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”(Hebrews 12:2 NKJV).
How would Christianity have been if there were no rewards and blessings? God promised Abraham and his seed rewards. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus taught about blessings in the Beatitudes. So, God rewards us with different kinds of blessings if we follow and serve him (Gal.6:9; Col.3:23-24; Rev.22:12; James 1:12; Eph.6:8).
Isaiah 45:19 says, “I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.”
God prospered Hezekiah because he held fast to him. “The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. He subdued the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.” (II Kings 18:7-8 NKJV).
God preserved the lives of Joshua and Caleb as he had promised them, for their loyalty to him.
God delivered Daniel from the lion’s den because he was steadfast in his faith. He rescued Shedrack, Meshack and Abednego from the furnace of fire due to their obedience to Him.
God has promised that all those who believe in him would spend the whole of eternity with him (John 17:24).
It is important to note that we receive rewards not as of right, but out of the mercy and the grace of God who said, “…ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened….” (Luke 11:9-13 NKJV)
