Sooo There’s No Reward?

In my last blog, I talked about how the Lord burst my entitlement bubble. I’m certain this won’t be the last time that bubble gets burst either. This is just the way of that sin nature.

Some of you, like me, may be thinking, but doesn’t God give and at times promise good gifts? Should we not be in expectation when He says He’ll reward us? I’ll be the first to resound with an exuberant “Yes!” Yes, we should be in expectation. We just must ensure that entitlement doesn’t rear its head on the road to reward. It is a matter of our motive and heart posture.

There are so many taglines with the phrase or sentiment I deserve happiness. And though many are harmlessly seeking to help people see their value and break free from unhealthy attachments, such self-proclamations end up doing more damage than good. It feeds the mindset that anything causing unhappiness in my life is a critter inhabiting my home that must be exterminated. And it propels people to excuse covetousness and any measures, however injurious to others, that must be taken to ensure that result.

Often for God to deal with sin and unfruitfulness in our lives, He must come for that which makes us happy at the moment. And if you’re like me, then you’ve become the Pest Controller and your aim is to snuff out the hand of God.

What we can’t see is that the hand of God has come to give us the reward our hearts truly desire. It’s just not packaged the way we expected or would be excited to open. God knows on the other side of our obedience to Him, there are intangible gifts the world can never give us nor can they take them away.

Some of these that come to mind are peace, joy, and wisdom. Until you’ve been void of these in your life, you won’t understand their true value. Many people have had all the things in life yet have been completely void of the thing that makes any of those things enjoyable beyond a certain point. And somewhere I read or heard, the thing you’re praying to God for today is the very thing you’ll be praying to Him about tomorrow.

There is a figure in the Bible who will illustrate the final points I want to make to you. King Solomon. He was by far one of the riches and most honored of men. He had a lot of stuff. But you know how His road to reward started? He wasn’t seeking wealth and possessions nor did he think Himself deserving of them (at least not initially). Rather he sought how to bring glory to God through his rulership by asking for knowledge and wisdom.

And here’s the other thing. God asked him what he wanted. His question was posed such that Solomon could have practically received whatever he desired. I’ve had to learn that even if I’m coming to God with an earnest request, even if He asked me what I wanted, and even if He’s promised it to me in reply, that doesn’t mean I earned it. I’m only receiving it because He’s a good Father who rewards His children who diligently seek Him.

Read that last part again: His children who diligently seek Him. It is those who are seeking a relationship with their Father. Wanting to know, please, and glorify Him. God doesn’t just roll up on anyone asking them what they want from Him. He asks those who are grasping for Him and have taken hold of the truth that He is the good thing. King Solomon got this at first, which is why I believe the Father was pleased to answer His request and then give Him so much more.

I believe sometime after God promised these gifts to Solomon, his expectation turned into entitlement. He stopped seeking and obeying God. God ceased being His first reward and desire. And all the women and stuff took His place. Solomon had all this wisdom and knowledge and yet failed to use it when it came to his romantic, business, and spiritual relationships.

God desires to reward us as a good Father. And as a good Father, He’s aware that sometimes our hearts and maturity aren’t set to receive those rewards yet, which is why He may withhold them. If we think our righteous and good deeds have earned the gifts, then we take God’s glory and depreciate His generosity. If we go before Him and try to acquire the gifts He’s promised before His set time, we ruin and waste what could have been long-lasting and delightful.

So there are rewards. And the greatest of them is God. So seek Him first and all these other things shall be added unto you, whether in this life or the life eternal (Matthew 6:33).

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