By Sister Tarpley, NDG Religion Editor
It has been said that there are two types of people in the world; those whose activities are designed to generate a reward in this lifetime; and those who live to generate a reward when they meet our Lord in Heaven.
How does one judge whether they are living for their heavenly reward versus the earthly reward? There are several key indicators. Future reward people tend to be givers. They make their time and resources available to be channeled for God’s purposes. They realize their sowing will ultimately be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ where what they have done on earth will be judged and rewarded by God “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV).
Future reward people live a life based upon obedience-based decisions. They don’t make decisions based on their perceived outcome. They realize a decision based on obedience alone may not result in an immediate outcome. Jesus was obedient to the cross, but the immediate outcome was His own death on the cross.
Future reward situations show up in daily life in a number of ways. Perhaps you have been wronged by someone and God calls you to forgive and He even tells you to bless that individual without expectation of their response. In the 1960s I recall a pastor saying that God told him to give a man that was kneeling in prayer $50, the pastor said that he looked at the man who was dressed in a nice suit nor did the man didn’t look destitute or as if he needed anything, so the pastor questioned God and said, “God, this man doesn’t look like he needs $50, why should I give him money?”
And God answered, “I didn’t say that this man needed $50, I told you to give the man $50.”
Often we forget that we should obey God without questioning Him. Just have faith in God. Perhaps God calls you to sow money into a ministry or another person’s life without expectation of return from them. Perhaps you are called to serve another person without expectation of any earthly reward. The situations we might encounter are unlimited.
“From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalms 17:14 & 15
(KJV)
Ask yourself, “Am I living a life based on a future reward, or short term reward?” How are you allocating your resources? This will reveal whether you are a heavenly reward Christian.
Helpful Insights & Inspiration
It has been said, “You never saw a fish on the wall with its mouth shut.”
“You are the only person on this earth who can use your ability.”
“You can’t base your life on other people’s expectations.”
“Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy the wag of his tail.”
“Shared joy is double joy, and shared sorrow is half-sorrow.”
“An open mind collects more riches than an open purse.”
“Hate is like acid. It can damage the vessel in which it is stored as well as destroy the object on which it is poured.” – Ann Landers.
“You have the capacity to choose what you think about. If you choose to think about past hurts, you will continue to feel bad. While it’s true you can’t change the effect that past influences had on you once, you can change the effect they have on you now.” – Gary McKay, Ph.D.
“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” – William James.
“One of the most lasting pleasures you can experience is the feeling that comes over you when you genuinely forgive an enemy— whether he knows about it or not.” – A. Battista.
“An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything. – Lynn Johnston.
“Pride is tasteless, colorless and sizeless. Yet it is the hardest thing to swallow.”
