"O LORD,
by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in
this life"
(Ps 17:14).
There are two
types of people in the world. There are those whose activities are designed to
generate a reward in this lifetime. And there are those who live to generate a
reward when they meet our Lord in Heaven.
Not every
Christian models the latter. How does one judge whether they are living for the
future 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 Kingdom 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 (2 Corinthians 5:10).
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 a person has
wronged you and God calls you to forgive and even bless that person without
expectation of their response. 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.
Are
you living a life based on a future reward, or short term reward? Today,
evaluate how you make decisions and how you allocate resources. This will
reveal whether you are a future reward Christian.
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