“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
God rewards those who sincerely seek him.
So why are we so surprised when God rewards us?
Put this in the context of Matthew 7:11…
“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” – Matthew 7:11 (NLT)
I have 3 grown adult children and one granddaughter. I love rewarding them.
We think rewards are deserved. They are not.
Even as an earthly parent I know rewards are rarely earned or deserved. As soon as I think they are doing good and should be rewarded there is always something that can disqualify them.
I’ve witnessed all my kids be generous. Oh how I want to reward them when I see that. I’ve also witnessed all three of them waste money on themselves. I’ve seen them have nothing to show for their money. If I waited until they deserved it then I’d never reward them.
There is only one thing Hebrews 11:6 gives as a requirement to be rewarded — to sincerely seek God. This is to seek God for who he is and not for what we can get out of him. God is promising to reward those who sincerely seek him.
We disqualify ourselves from God’s rewards.
The reason we are so shocked when God rewards us is because we can never accept that we deserve to be rewarded. We know ourselves too well. We are our own worse critic. Often we hold sins against ourselves God has forgiven long ago.
God’s rewards has more to do with God’s character than it has to do with our perfection.
That’s really good news!
Do you expect to be rewarded? You should. I don’t mean entitled. I don’t mean for you to demand. But if you are sincerely seeking God’s presence – if you are seeking to find every guidance and provision you will ever need in the presence of God, then Hebrews 11:6 gives you biblical ground to expect to be rewarded by God.
God’s rewards are more of himself or more for himself. If God rewards you with a house it is not for you but for him. We get into trouble when we take God’s rewards for ourselves and don’t give them back to God.
You should want to be rewarded. Actually, you need to be rewarded. 1 John 4:19 says we love because he first loved us.
“We love each other because he loved us first.”
1 John 4:19 NLT
In the same way we would have nothing to give him except that he gave it to us first.
The more God rewards you the more you have to give right back to God.
God’s rewards are for God not for you so you should expect and want to be rewarded. Look at what happens in Revelation 4:
“the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Revelation 4:10-11 NLT
Where do you think the crowns come from? They come from God! It’s imagery of God’s rewards. What do we do with them? We cast our crowns at his feet. Don’t wait until you get to heaven to cast your crowns at his feet. Do it now – today.
Being shocked about God here on earth should avoid us from being shocked by God in heaven. Can you imagine what it would be like if we get to heaven only to think: “Oh my God, the whole time I was on earth I thought all this stuff was for me? Now all I want to do is cast everything I’ve got at my saviors feet.”
Don’t be shocked when God rewards you.
Expect to be rewarded for sincerely seeking him. You seek him. Let the rewarding be up to him. Trust his character. Oh how he loves you!
If we being sinful know how to reward our children how much more does he want to reward his children who ask him.
Ask for things you would love to give to God!
Ask for God to give you homes for orphans, church buildings for churches, bibles, cars for pastors, land for churches – you name it. Ask God to give you resources for finishing the tasks of the great commission.
Let God reward you for his purposes. Expect God to reward you. Not because you’re worthy but because he is.
Now go live a life generously blessed by God today. I love you. God bless you and make you a blessing to others.
ABOUT KEVIN WHITE
Kevin White is a Christian pastor, international speaker, and an international best-selling author. As a writer, Kevin’s newest book, Audacious Generosity, is a best new Christian Book of 2020. Audacious Generosity was an instant international best seller in India and the United States of America. Audacious Generosity is the New Book to Read in 2021. Look for it among Christianity books on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Kevin’s why for life is to extend access to Jesus to all people world-wide. Kevin loves to motivate people how to encounter the presence of God in their everyday life.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, Kevin has started and helped start hundreds of businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Kevin is an expert in church leadership and business development. Kevin’s shepherd’s heart can be seen in his speaking and writing. He integrates Biblical principles and worship into everything he does. Kevin’s strategy is to help people transform into the likeness of Jesus. Find more from Kevin White including his blog, podcast shows, YouTube Channel, and Generously Blessed 1MM One Minute Motivational Series at https://kevinwhite.us
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Kevin is Founder and Executive Director of Global Hope India
About Global Hope India
Kevin White is the Founder/Executive Director of Global Hope India, a Christian mission organization focused on sharing the gospel in India and among Indian Nationals world-wide. We facilitate virtual mission teams to Indiaand short-term mission teams in-person in India. These teams empower the church in India with pastoral training, youth pastor training, children’s ministry, church planting strategy, church planting ministry, and medical missions.
Global Hope India is a Christian charity that raises funds for India. 92% of every dollar given benefits gospel outreach projects in India such as church planting, orphan care, clean water projects, bibles, medical clinics, etc. Our partners in India serve the Baptist mission in India, Church of God in India as well as independent Christian churches. We do one thing – advance the gospel in India. We do it in one way – through the local church in India. Join us today by praying for India, giving to God’s work in India and going virtually or in person to make disciples in India. Find out more information at https://globalhopeindia.org
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