Daily Encouragement: Day 315

Adapted from Handbook to Spiritual Growth

MOTIVATED BY REWARDS

The Scriptures teach that it is not mercenary to be motivated by reward; instead, Jesus encouraged us to long to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” The New Testament is replete with exhortations to pursue God’s rewards, affirming that they are more than worth the cost.

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. … [Moses considered] the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:6, 26).

We should be motivated by the fact that right now we are in the process of becoming what we will be in eternity. We should give it everything we have, because eternal gain will be worth anything we sacrificed in our brief earthly sojourn.