Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man shall abound with blessings”.
Introduction: Throughout the scriptures, we see time and time again how God rewards faithfulness. People in the Bible were faithful to serve God and God in return rewards them for it. This lesson today will encourage us to be more faithful in the things of God because we understand that there is a reward for staying faithful. Many times, the reward is here on this earth and other times it is a future reward reserved for the judgement seat of Christ.
You have a reward from God when:
Trust God Fully- Ruth (1:1-5 context) 2:10-12- When you trust God and leave every earthly possession to follow Him, God will reward thee.
You Obey The Words of God – Psalm 19:7-11 (vs 7 law, vs 7 testimony, vs 8 statutes vs 8 commandments, vs 9 judgments). Walking with God is a relationship, doing what He says to do. In this Bible there are many things that God wants us to do and to keep.
Serve God Heartily - Colossians 3:23-24 Anything we do for God is for His service and and when we do it heartily, there is a reward. Throughout your life, you do many things, from work, to raise your family, cook food, get involved in church, etc. When you do those things heartily, you have a reward from God.
You Run a Good Race– I Corinthians 9:24-26 here, rewards are earned for works. We understand that we don’t work to get saved but because we’re saved. Paul here mentions a runner running in a race to obtain an incorruptible crown. This only happens when a person runs a good spiritual race and doesn’t quit.
You Seek God Diligently- Hebrews 11:4-6 God rewards the person that diligently/faithfully seeks Him. Diligently- steady, constant, not idle or negligent.
To seek God diligently is to seek Him all the time, when things are good and when things are bad. Not just when we need help, are in need, or don’t know what to do, etc.
Conclusion: The ultimate judge that determines our faithfulness with these and other things that God has given us, is God. He is the one that will decide if the person receives the reward or not based on their faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”. Be faithful in these things and the Lord will reward you as He sees fit.
