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Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV).
Does it seem discordant that we serve the Lord for a reward? Yet the Greek word for “reward” is used at least 50 times in the New Testament.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:12 …
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven …
And the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:10 …
For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Is the Bible promoting spiritual capitalism where the righteous compete for the largest mansions in heaven, and the more righteous you are, the more gold-plated bathroom fixtures?
The Greek word for “reward” can be translated as “award, repayment, make a return, to pay off, to give back, to restore, and recompense.” The word is used in three contexts in the New Testament: 1. settling debts, 2. the result of righteous living, and 3. eternal evaluation.
In the context of our Christian walk, let’s consider: God will make right injustices (definition #1); when we serve Jesus, we are blessed, when we give, it is given back (definition #2); and Christ will judge us in heaven according to our faith and obedience on earth (definition #3).
Again, back to thinking that we walk with Jesus only to get a spiritual paycheck. Doesn’t the idea of “reward” reduce our altruism to mundane personal gain?
Not really. First, we are saved by grace, not by our works, and second, loving Jesus motivates our service — the more we love, the more we are faithful! The Bible indicates that the entire universe was created under the premise of good versus evil and reward versus judgment. It also explains that God’s holiness requires recompense for sinful actions and blessings for faithfulness.
Behold, I am coming soon, bring my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done (Revelation 22:12).
Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward (1 Corinthians 3:13-14).
Recently, I handed five dollars to a person with a homeless sign. I do this often, and I don’t think, “Wow, I’ve just paid for a diamond chandelier in my heavenly dacha.” I know that I can’t outgive God and am not worried if the homeless person disabuses my gift, because my generosity emulates the grace of Jesus. I participate in His grace through small gifts of kindness.
Experiencing His grace through my actions transcends receiving a mere earthly reward into a fuller sense of God’s presence in my life. Now that’s a reward; give me more!
When I give five dollars or 25 thousand dollars, I think, “God, look what you gave me when I didn’t deserve it. I want to be like You.” That’s my compensation, the gold-plated bathtub can be a heavenly extra, as my Father can’t help Himself — He always gives back.
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
P.S. I’m looking forward to my first bath in heaven!