Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man shall abound with blessings”.
Introduction: Throughout the scriptures, we see time and time again how God rewards faithfulness. People in the Bible were faithful to serve God and God in return rewards them for it. This lesson today will encourage us to be more faithful in the things of God because we understand that there is a reward for staying faithful. Many times, the reward is here on this earth and other times it is a future reward reserved for the judgement seat of Christ.
You have a reward from God when:
Trust God Fully- Ruth (1:1-5 context) 2:10-12- When you trust God and leave every earthly possession to follow Him, God will reward thee.
Booz is a type or represents Jesus Christ, He is saying that Ruth will receive a FULL reward for the faithfulness to her work and trust of God.
God knows if you are trusting Him for everything and about everything or if there is doubt.
You Obey The Words of God – Psalm 19:7-11 (vs 7 law, vs 7 testimony, vs 8 statutes vs 8 commandments, vs 9 judgments). Walking with God is a relationship, doing what He says to do. In this Bible there are many things that God wants us to do and to keep.
Not only are we warned by doing (keeping) what the Bible says to do but there is also a GREAT reward by God.
James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”.
Hebrews 11:23-26- Moses chose to walk with God instead of the pleasure of sin and he was blessed by God for doing so.
It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing, you obey God’s Word to be blessed.
Serve God Heartily – Colossians 3:23-24 Anything we do for God is for His service and and when we do it heartily, there is a reward. Throughout your life, you do many things, from work, to raise your family, cook food, get involved in church, etc. When you do those things heartily, you have a reward from God.
Whatsoever- means with everything you do.
Do it heartily- means with all your heart.
Do it as to the Lord- he deserves the best and no cutting corners.
Painting, vacuuming, throwing out the trash, preparing food, mowing the lawn, nursery, teaching kids, singing hymns, VBS.
God knows when you’re doing things with all your heart, and he will reward you accordingly.
You Run a Good Race– I Corinthians 9:24-26 here, rewards are earned for works. We understand that we don’t work to get saved but because we’re saved. Paul here mentions a runner running in a race to obtain an incorruptible crown. This only happens when a person runs a good spiritual race and doesn’t quit.
It’s not about how fast you run but about finishing the course. The Christian life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Don’t worry about another person’s race, you will get distracted. Focus on your race.
Run your race Willingly- I Corinthians 9:17-18
You Seek God Diligently- Hebrews 11:4-6 God rewards the person that diligently/faithfully seeks Him. Diligently- steady, constant, not idle or negligent.
To seek God diligently is to seek Him all the time, when things are good and when things are bad. Not just when we need help, are in need, or don’t know what to do, etc.
When you read your Bible/ Pray/ Come to Church, you are diligently seeking God. Doing these things when you feel like it and when you don’t feel like it.
Matthew 6:25, 33 Seek God first then the reward comes from God.
Conclusion: The ultimate judge that determines our faithfulness with these and other things that God has given us, is God. He is the one that will decide if the person receives the reward or not based on their faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”. Be faithful in these things and the Lord will reward you as He sees fit
Anchor Baptist Church 