“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:4, 6, 18
Jesus said these words three times—in reference to our giving, our prayers, and our fasting. He spoke very clearly about the rewards of faithful service.
In the parable of the talents, Jesus told a story about a man who entrusted his property to servants. To the servants who were faithful, he said, “You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much” (Mat. 25:21, 23).
Imagine a construction site with houses going up, and the builders using different materials. Gold and silver are placed in the decor. Precious stones are set into the walls. But some holes are covered with wood, hay, or stubble. Then one day there’s a fire. The wood, hay, and stubble go up in smoke, but the gold, silver, and precious stones remain:
Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved. (1 Cor. 3:13–15)
Paul may have had these words in mind when he said: “We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor. 5:10). The word translated ‘evil’ can also be translated ‘worthless.’ Like the wood, hay, and stubble—it proved to be of no lasting value.
Are you living your Christian life with the rewards Jesus spoke about in mind?
