I must not have a mistaken understanding about rewards. Normally, Christians make two mistakes about them: all rewards are spiritual, and all rewards are future. Not so, in both cases. God has promised many rewards that are to be claimed in this life, and some of them are material.
When the disciples asked what their rewards would be, Jesus replied that no one who had forsaken all for Him would be overlooked. “He shall receive a hundredfold now in this time … and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:28–30, ASV margin). Some of the material rewards to be received in this life are things such as houses and land.
That puzzles me, Lord; yet I see what You mean. You do not want me to confuse my goals with my rewards. I am not to seek houses, properties, and money as a goal; my goal must always be to do God’s will, regardless of the consequences. Yet, doing God’s will brings its rewards, both spiritual and material, for the present time as well as in the age to come. The Israelites were encouraged to obey God and walk in His ways in order that they would live and multiply and prosper in the land that God gave them (Deuteronomy 30:15–16). As a disciple, however, I must have a slightly different attitude. I must maintain a conscious indifference to material rewards; and, if they come, I must be humbly grateful for them and use them only for the further glory of God, not for selfish ends or aims.
Lord, let me look to You as the Dispenser of both my needs and my rewards; I am encouraged to learn that You reward those who “diligently seek” You (Hebrews 11:6, KJV). But if reward is delayed, may I still glorify You with a thankful heart and a flowing word of praise!
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
Daily with the King 