Gen. 30:18 Issachar, “God has given me my reward.”
The rewards stage of any product is something we all look forward to achieving. If we make enough purchases, deposits, investments, or acts of loyalty; we expect to have a reward.
Jesus was not afraid of promising people rewards. He often emphasized that those who followed His Father’s teachings would be generously rewarded both here and now on earth and certainly in heaven. “Verily, verily, I say unto you. There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time…and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30) This promise from Jesus highlights His desire to reward His children for a life well-lived.
Studies confirm it. Living healthy, practicing religion, seeking to give rather than take all contribute to a happier and longer life. I have a bumper sticker that refutes the idea that the one who accumulates the most wins. Instead, the truth says, “He who gives the most, wins.”
Our giving is the front loading of the windows of heaven to be poured out over our lives later. Malachi promises this formula and dares the people, Put me to the test. “’Try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Mal. 3:10)
We must believe, according to the Scriptures, that God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. This reward consists of both material blessings on earth and spiritual blessings in heaven. He is the Reward, but on the quest towards Him strings a path of goodness, mercy, and favor that make the journey towards home sweeter and sweeter.
For every young ministry and minister in the throes of a struggle, sweeter days are coming. For every believer actively giving and laying down our lives in accordance with the Gospel, we can be assured these sacrifices are calculated and rewarded by heaven itself. Towards the end of your journey meditate and set your sights on the rewards accumulating to your account and use these rewards to spur you to faithful living.
Says Jesus to everyone who ministers to the least of these on earth, “Your reward shall be great in heaven.” God is willing to be put to the test and proven in His faithfulness to reward His people. The Gospel is not an assignment of suffering our entire life, but rather an eternal rewards program purchased by Jesus and lavishly credited to His children as they faithfully follow Him.
The Joseph Factor 