Reward

If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:14

I find this to be one of the most encouraging and one of the most frightening verses in the Bible, depending on the day.

You see, this verse talks about our heavenly reward.

When a Christian dies, he isn’t judged for the sins of his life. Those sins are long gone, washed away by the beautiful blood of Jesus. But he will be judged for how he lived his Christian life.

This passage teaches that God will set fire to the works of every believer. Those who have used their gifts, skills, time and money to serve God’s Kingdom will find that their works withstand the fire and they will be greatly rewarded in heaven.

But those who have lived for themselves and invested in themselves and earthly treasure, their works won’t survive and they will have little to no heavenly reward.

Thus, my mixed emotions about this verse.

Because some days, weeks and even years I live a very kingdom-centered life. And in those times I have confidence that my works will stand.

But I also know that there have been plenty of seasons in my life when I lived totally for me, and that those seasons have no Kingdom fruit. They will be burned up. In a flash of the holy fire of God they will be gone, and I will have wasted entire seasons of my life, with nothing eternal to show for them.

Today you have an opportunity to invest wisely.

Every decision you make today will effect your eternity.

Every action you take today will effect your eternity.

Choose wisely.

Jesus encouraged us to pursue treasure. He just wanted us to be sure it was the eternal kind.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

The post Reward appeared first on Will Davis Jr.