God's Rewards

GOD'S REWARDS

I think it's safe to say we all like to get rewarded. We like to get acknowledged for a job well done. Not that we do things to get rewarded, it's just nice when it happens. There are different kinds of rewards. It could be a prize, it could be cash like when we return a lost pet or when we have information about a missing person.

Then there are the rewards given as a result of someone doing something good. Those are the kind of rewards God gives. He rewards us based on the kind and helpful things we do for others.

Someone might say, 'it sounds like a blessing and a reward are one and the same'. Although there may be some similarities, a reward is given only in response to something done. I did a good deed so I was given a reward. A blessing can be given without having done anything to get it.

God gives blessings and rewards. There's even a case where he gives an award. We'll look at that in the Sunday school. But right now, let's take a look into the subject of God's rewards.

1) Man's reward vs. God's reward.

Sometimes it's okay to accept a reward from someone for a job well done. But to do good deeds for the purpose of getting a reward is not good. And when you're representing God it's definitely not a good idea.

Balaam was tested with this when Balak, king of Moab wanted him to speak evil against his enemy, the Israelites.

Israel's success had built a reputation and when they moved into Moab, the Moabites were afraid. Balak sent for the prophet Balaam to put a curse on them.

Num. 22:16-18, "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.” But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God."

Basically, Balak was bribing Balaam to use spiritual forces for his own purposes. God had already told Balaam not to curse Israel. He allowed Balaam to go with Balak's men but told him to do nothing outside of what he commanded.

It seems that Balak assumed since Balaam was going to him that he was in agreement with Balak's wishes, especially after the promise of a handsome reward. But, he found out that wasn't the case. Instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blessed them. Balak got a little perturbed at that.

Num. 24:10-13, "Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded.”

Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ‘Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD—and I must say only what the LORD says’?" Balak said, "The Lord has kept you from being rewarded".

Really? What reward is there is being disobedient to the Lord? Balaam didn't receive man's reward but he did receive God's. In this case God's reward was his life! You may be familiar with the story of Balaam's talking donkey? This was the situation that prompted that.

It seems Balaam was too eager to go with the Moabites. He was supposed to wait until they came to get him but he saddled his donkey to go out and meet them instead. Num. 22:22 says God was angry with Balaam for that. He caused his donkey to see an angel and not go further.

Balaam beat the donkey to get it going but then the donkey started talking to him. Then Balaam's eyes were opened and he saw the angel. The angel told Balaam that if the donkey had not stopped the angel would've killed him. Balaam recognized his folly and went on with the full intention of doing what God commanded.

We can get lured away by worldly rewards even when God makes it clear that it's wrong. We may be enticed by the things of the world and that can become the main reason why we do good deeds. Even when we're convinced our motives are pure, we need to examine ourselves and make sure we're not serving a selfish agenda. We need to check our heart.