Faith in Our Reward?

So,

I've probably been playing too many games lately, be it on my phone, or computer, or 3DS, or otherwise, or watching too many videos, or doing too much work (;P?) and so my eyes are getting pretty tired of screens pretty quickly. I never read books, but I don't want to wash the dishes, so why not?

So I picked up a book I started reading a year or so ago. It's all about discipleship and various things that you'll probably end up talking about as you mentor someone. This one chapter focused on various foundational things that we need to have faith in as we grow to trust God more. One section that stood out to me was about having faith in our reward.

The author tells a story about a trip to the Great Wall of China. While there he saw a worker slowly and passively picking up trash and workers at the various concession stands energetically and actively pursuing customers. Clearly there is a difference here. The one will always be paid the same, the other will make more profit if they sell more at a higher value. From this the author draws analogy to how we often see our eternity unchanging regardless of what we do after we've been saved, noting that "the doctrine of eternal security ... was never meant to negate the teaching of rewards". That we are called to exercise faith in future rewards, that our faithfulness and obedience will be rewarded.

Now this is definitely something I haven't studied much. But it is also definitely undeniable that there are many verses speaking about future rewards. Whether it be laying up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21); persevering trials and receiving a crown on life (James 1:12); overcoming and receiving various blessings (Revelation 2-3); or parables of being faithful with little and being trusted with more (Matthew 24:46-47; 25:14-30). And I'm sure there's much more.

But I think I do end up thinking that what I do now won't really make a difference. As much as I think it's wrong to focus too much on potential future rewards, it is definitely something I should probably learn more about. Still though, having the eyes to see the blessings for us and others both now and in the future as we live out lives of obedience, surrender, and faith; I think that is something I need more of while realizing that the biggest reward of all is available now and forever: to delight and be truly satisfied in knowing God and the grace He has given through Jesus and the intimacy of knowing He is with us always.

May my eyes be fixed firmly on Him and may I delight in Him more and more whether through joys or trials.

D.Fa