“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35
Through Paul, God encourages those in and under authority to live in such a way that he can reward them both in this life and the life to come. This is precisely what is meant by Ephesians 6:8, which says, “Whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord.”
Many Christian leaders and teachers often neglect to speak much about God rewarding faithfulness because they fear that people will become self-righteous, proud, and religiously competitive, trying to outperform one another. While this is a legitimate concern, the Bible teaches repeatedly that God does in fact reward the works of faithful believers as a way of encouraging them to persevere in holiness and faithfulness, knowing that the God who loves them sees and knows all and will reward every act of obedience.
Read
Matthew 5:11–12; 6:19–21; Luke 6:35; and 1 Corinthians 3:13–14
Discuss what today’s Bible passages say about God’s rewards. How do these promises encourage you to live for Jesus today?
Prayer
Thank God that he is a God who rewards. Ask for his help in living more for his eternal rewards than for temporary gain.
This devotion is adapted from the Who Do You Think You Are? Study Guides with Daily Devotions resource.
