For the Greater Reward
Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
My son Colin, who is now an adult, was highly motivated by rewards as a child. One example was his potty training. He picked out a toy he wanted (T-Rex Mountain), and my wife posted a picture of it by the toilet along with a chart with forty squares. The goal: go in the potty forty times and receive the toy. He accomplished that goal over a four-day period and was rewarded the toy. We still have it to this day.
Rewards programs are offered by so many companies these days. Just google the word ‘rewards’ and see how many offers appear. On certain airlines, each time you fly, you earn miles that can be exchanged for free airfare. With some hotels, for each couple nights you stay, you are rewarded with a free night. Restaurants offer free entrees or drinks after purchasing so many. We buy groceries at Kroger, mainly due to the gas rewards points, which save us so many cents off per gallon of gas.
Individuals compete to be the last on an island. Couples race to be first to the finish line. Ladies compete to be rewarded the final rose. Individuals compete in the business world to get the job offer. Untrained people practice and dance with professionals to win a title and trophy. The motivation for these reality television stars: to receive the reward. Most people like rewards. Rewards motivate us and challenge us. Some rewards are unexpected. Others are undeserved.
When we accept Christ as Savior of our lives, He rewards us with grace, forgiveness and eternal life. These rewards are undeserved and unearned. We simply must accept Christ. We do not have certain works to accomplish before we can be saved. If our faith was based on works, we would never earn it..
The rewards of following Christ are eternal, but they are more than that; they impact the here and now. He gives us a full life of forgiveness, peace, purpose, sense of belonging, new identity and nature, guidance from the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Again, none of these are deserved. But, we must do more than accept Him as Savior to be a benefactor of these rewards. He must be the Lord of our lives.
The appeal for many is to seek after worldly rewards such as wealth, fame, status, etc. These are temporary and fleeting and based on performance or appearance. While some worldly rewards can be good—they’re not all inherently bad—they were never meant to satisfy our deepest needs. In the end, these do not compare to the rewards of following Christ.
Paul's words to the Colossians in today’s key verse above challenge us to shift our perspective. Whatever we do—whether it’s working a job, parenting kids, doing laundry, caring for an elderly relative, or even suffering—we're to do it for the Lord. Not for people. Why? Because people’s rewards are temporary, but God’s reward is eternal. He sees the unseen labor, the sacrifices no one applauds, and the quiet obedience when it's hard.
Read Luke 7:36-50. Jesus rewarded the sinful woman with forgiveness of her sins and a transformed life. Jesus tells her, ‘Your faith has saved you’. Her reward was not because she anointed his feet with her tears and perfume but because these were acts of love for Him on her part.
Our faithfulness to Christ should not be motivated by reward but rather by love for Him. This love should motivate us to follow Him and live a life worthy of Him. Rewards are just an added bonus.
Call to Action
Ask yourself:
What reward(s) am I truly living for?
Am I more motivated by the world’s applause or God’s approval?
Does my life radiate the rewards of following Christ listed above? If not, why do you think that is?
Digging Deeper
Read these additional verses: Matthew 5:11–12, Revelation 22:12, Hebrews 11:6. For further study, check out how God rewarded Joseph for his faithfulness in Genesis 37-50.
Prayer
God, thank You for promises of rewards far greater than anything this world can offer. In a world that constantly calls for attention, achievement, and approval, help me to turn and keep my eyes on You. Teach me to live for the reward that lasts—the reward of knowing and walking with You. Guard my heart from chasing worldly rewards. Amen.
Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens
