A real man expects the greater reward
The last element of becoming a man, is the expectation that living a life of honor and integrity will pay off! And, it will! Although we may not see the rewards here on earth, they will be big and they will be more than we can imagine. But, do we choose this life style simply because of the reward potential? Of course not. In fact, those who are committed to living a life of excellence rarely think of the climax. We are so busy trying to help others and follow our Lord, there is rarely time to dwell on such matters. And, at my stage of life, I’ve discovered that the journey is often a greater thrill than the end of a thing. So, why waste time speculating about what our rewards may be when we can barely begin to imagine them anyway? My step father is always telling me:
“If you do good things, good things will come to you; and, if you do bad things, bad things will come to you.”
This is so true, and you can see it almost everyday – right here on planet earth. I don’t know how many times I have heard the idiom “what goes around comes around.” It reminds me of a literary device called poetic justice that often comes to light as we read or watch a story unfold. I’ve come to expect it and feel cheated if it is left out. It is that justice will be served – sometimes late, but always served. Now, God is just. He is holy and just. Always. We can always count on Him to do the right thing and to exact revenge when it is needed, and to repay and reward those who obey His commandments. He will repay every one of us for our lives – both good and bad. In fact, God tells us He will reward us:
Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
I have this thing – I truly and completely believe God. I really do. If His Word says it, it will come to pass exactly how He intends it to. If His word tells me to test Him as it does in regard to tithing – then I believe that Word and test Him. Guess what? God is completely and 100% faithful. Imagine that! If He tells me not to lay up treasure down here on earth, there is a good reason for that:
Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
So, I don’t worry about my treasure or reward. I have given that over completely to Jesus. He will reward me according to His good purpose, according to how I have lived this life He gave me. I am not going to fret or worry about it. I will take for granted that what He has said about it is absolutely 100% true and that settles it. Do I understand everything about it? Of course not and I don’t need to. I just know that I can’t out give God, and that He is a rewarder of those who believe and obey.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
My eyesight is often near-sighted and I am so biased about what I think I want that I can’t trust myself – so I choose to trust God! In fact, He knows me better than I know myself and He really knows what I need and want better than I, so I am glad He will choose and reward me according to His standards and not mine! So, we need to live fully expecting our Lord to reward us according to His riches in glory. This is part and parcel of being a prince of the kingdom of God. We should live like we are crown, royal princes and conduct our lives accordingly. So, we will live like we mean it. We will live as if every day matters. We will live like there is a divine purpose in everything we do. And, we will seek hard after God with all of our being.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We please God by having faith in Him and His Word, and exercising it. Frankly, for me the greatest reward of all will be to hear – Well done, thou good and faithful servant!
Matthew 25:11 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
What a day that will be! I can’t imagine any reward greater than to please the Lord. Let my life be pleasing to you oh Lord! Father, please help us realize that you hold each one of us in your grip and we are safe and secure there. You know us better than we can imagine and you will reward us according to your standards which we can’t begin to understand. Help us not hoard riches here on earth, but to be vessels of conduit to funnel the blessings you provide where you want them to go. Please help us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and our hearts humble, gentle and soft before you. Please help us Father to live our lives as princes of your kingdom and to help rescue the lost, to free the bound and to offer life everywhere we go to everyone we meet. Time is growing so short Father; please help us to be about your business! And, Father please help to be about your business when you come to take us home! In Jesus’ mighty name I pray! Amen!
The Warrior Anointing 