Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

What do you think of when you see the word rewards here?

Our ideas surrounding rewards are based mostly on earthly experiences and not eternal issues. There is a large difference between the flesh and the spirit. The flesh will interpret rewards according to fleshly pleasures. The spirit sees things from God’s perspective.

Can God reward us in the flesh? Yes but will those rewards glorify God? Is a promotion in Kingdom living a reward?

Luke 16:10-11 English Standard Version

¹⁰ “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. ¹¹ If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

Wealth is one thing that tends to please the flesh but it is said here that it is not true riches.

What are true riches and do they relate to God’s rewarding the faithful?

Matthew Henry’s commentary says this about this parable. “The riches of this world are the less; grace and glory are the greater.”

True riches are those gifts from God that are given to faithful servants to glorify God and enhance Kingdom living for all God’s people. They cannot be purchased but they can be withheld if we have proven ourselves to be untrustworthy.

The greater gifts come with greater responsibility and why should we expect to be given those gifts if we have not used those which we already have to glorify God?

The gift of the Shepard says why would we be given 200 to Shepard if we cannot glorify God in the 5 sheep He has placed with us?

Do all things as the Lord would do them, faithfully.

2 Corinthians 5:14 English Standard Version (ESV) For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

Yesterday we left off with the notion that those who lose the war have no control over what comes next. This kneeling posture is one of accepting our fate is in the hands of our captor.

Most of us did not even know we were in a war.

James 4:4 English Standard Version (ESV) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Yet here we are having lost the war and are at the mercy of our Lord. Now a strange thing happens that is unexpected for the prisoner of Christ. We are executed.

Romans 6:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Our death sentence has been carried out by Christ. His death paid for our sins. In the world this does not work. Now that we are Kingdom Dwellers we understand God’s justice has been satisfied. He no longer seeks death for those who were once enemies.

This world tells us we need to control our own destiny but in this Kingdom we discover our fate is in the hands of the Father. It makes us uncomfortable in the flesh to admit we have lost control. We struggle with life in the flesh that wants control and the spirit which is subject to the will of God.

Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If we seek His will we will discover greater rewards than we could ever earn for ourselves alone.