Great Reward

I was reading Ecclesiastes the other day. Solomon, in all of his wisdom, is quite depressed and discouraged looking at the world around him. He is basically saying that all that is done under the sun is a waste of time and effort. It all comes to an end and is forgotten. All that we do here in this life, no matter how hard we work or how grand an impression we make on anything, will be gone and forgotten quickly after our short life we spend here on this Earth. Now that's a bummer of a thought… but he is absolutely right. There are very few people in history that have made such an impact on anything that we might even know their names. 

The key words to Solomon's "this is all a waste" sermon: UNDER THE SUN. He says those words 27 times! If our focus is things or reputation or even pleasing people down here on this earth, the return and reward is so limited. We need to get OVER the sun, and look to honor God in all we do. We must not look to people for a "job well done," or shiny things to confirm our status in this life. 

After denying the gifts this world has to offer, and living solely for his God, the Lord told Abram...

I am… thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 15:1

The trouble so many of us have with living for God, and not being motivated by any earthly reward is is a lack of faith. Our two year old Lilah is potty training these days. When she does a good job, she gets a gummy bear. I would not wait an hour to give her the gummy bear because she doesn't have the ability the process a long-term reward system. On the other hand, if Micah, our eight year old, did something exceptional, he would be able to enjoy a reward the next day at the ice cream shop.

Jesus wants us to trust Him that His promises are true. We don't need the instant gratification the world offers. Do we have the faith to make deposits into the reward jar in heaven when it requires sacrifice… even if nobody will ever notice? Can we hold our tongues when someone deserves a strong word that Jesus might be honored and glorified? Can we say no to the extra hours at the office in order to invest more into mini tea parties and backyard football games… or maybe even the Sunday School?  Can we deny ourselves the latest device and invest in the elderly woman down the street living off Social Security? These things are not simple. Not only do they require humility and sacrifice, they require a heart that desires JESUS to be their exceeding great reward. 

You may have seen the bumper sticker that reads, "The one with the most toys at the end wins." I promise you that is a lie. Things will never satisfy. Living a life that looks for ways to store up treasures in heaven is a life that will be full and blessed and rewarded.