GOD’S REWARD SYSTEM
By reward or remuneration system, we simply mean pay and wage system. People work so that they will make a living. Even when we say we love our jobs the main drive is the reward; it includes salaries, wages and/or benefits. In recruitment and discharge policies, employers adopt FIFO [First In First out] and LIFO [Last in first out] principles. Even before human beings and organizations [accountants and Human resources personnel], Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 20:1-16 had told the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Jesus concluded, “So those who are last will be first and those who are first will be the last” [Vs 16]. People resent and criticized this principle as unfair and irrational, especially during lay off. God has a system that could baffle most economics and Pay specialist. Since God’s way is not our ways, so does His thought differ from our own thoughts; His pay system is also different from the world. In a dream, Abram heard the Lord Say, “do not fear, I will shield you from danger and give you a great reward [Genesis 15:1]. Let’s consider our ways; what would be your reward?
In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus narrated a story of a man who went out early in the morning [about 6 am] to recruit some people and he agreed to pay them the regular wage of a sliver coin a day. He sent them to work in the vineyard. At 9 am, he went out again at the market place and recruited some more people and said he will pay them a fair wage. At 12 noon, 3 pm, and about 5 pm respectively, he repeated the same. He asked those he engaged at 5 pm why they were wasting the day doing nothing? The workers said nobody hired them. He sent them to work at the vineyard. When evening came, the owner told his foreman to call the workers and pay them their wages starting with those who were hired last and ends with those who were hired first. The foreman paid those who were hired last in the evening the same amount as paid those who were hired first. Those who were hired in the morning started grumbling, murmuring and complaining. Those who were hired last worked just for about an hour and yet paid the same as those who were hired in the morning. In response to the grumbling workers, the owner said, “I have not cheated you. After all I paid you what we agreed on as wages for a day’s job.”
Human beings do not understand that God’s reward those who work for Him more than our world payment system do and in different ways. Our labor represents our time, our talent and our efforts. Some people may have accepted or finally yield to God’s will in their life in their advance age and thereafter started working for God. God looks at our labor of love and service of faith. People may come late to the kingdom but travailed and labored harder than those who were born in Church. God looks at the heart and our perseverance than the outward eye service. God hears those who fear Him, agonized in total resignation than those who only lift up ‘holy hands’ and babble in worship. God knows those who are serving Him honestly and truthfully and those who serve when people are looking [Matthew 6:1-2, 5, and 16]. ……..He rewards each one according to his deeds [Matthew 16:27].
God met Saul of Tarsus while he was already a grown man, a practicing lawyer and scribe of Jewish law but his encounter had help progress the Gospel [Phil 1:12]. He was the man God used to fulfill His salvation promises to the Gentiles; indeed all Christians. He labored in faith, preached under persecutions and planted Churches around the Mediterranean; authored most of the Epistles’ in the New Testament. Only God can qualify and evaluate Apostle Paul labor of love. God knows whether he had fulfilled his purpose and destiny. He may not have done everything well in human judgment or pleased everybody but may have satisfied God’s call and his life. God will reward each one according to the work each has done [1Corinthians 3:8].
Similarly, in the parable of the Talents, God gave the same praise to the man who turned five talents into ten and the one who turned two talents into four. God created us and knows our gifts and abilities as well as our weaknesses. He does not compare one person to another. God has plans and purposes for us and only Him can evaluate and reward fairly and adequately because He is just and faithful God as well as God of justice and love. Some rewards come in the form of reverence [worship/honor], good health, wonderful spouse, amazing children and enviable job and prosperity in life. It could also be in revelation Spirit, peace of mind, great faith and abiding in Christ such that whatever you ask in Jesus name, you receive it. Little wonder the Psalmist says, God will honor any person that fear Him; his children possess their possession and are mighty in the land; shall be wealthy, rich and prosperous to many generations [Psalm 112:1-3].
Even in our world, many people are not in their called vocation. Do you like and enjoy what you do? Are you sure you’re fulfilling your purpose in life? Even in the Church, some who would have been better Ushers and Deacons have been made armchair Pastors. Even when they like to answer the name of the post but are not doing the work; get easily frustrated but pretend all is well. The worst thing in life is to be stocked in a wrong vocation. Jesus came to serve so He understand our faithfulness in service and labor of love [Mark 10:45]. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing and makes the plans of the peoples’ of no effect but the counsel of the Lord stands forever. God fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. [Psalm 145:19]. It becomes very clear that in whatever we are called to do or to serve, we should know that God is the giver of life and judges what we do; how we use the life He gave us. He allows us free will to make choices and so as to fulfill our destiny. Would God say to you at the end of day, good and faithful servant, you have done well. You have been faithful with the little, now have much [Matthew 25:21-23]. God watches and sees beyond human eyes; our life and labor must be living sacrifice and reasonable service. Human beings look and judge on physical appearance and labor but God sees the hearts, minds and hidden service of love and sacrifice. Who then can understand God’s judgment and parameters for His rewards?
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill at: weefreeminsitries@yahoo.com or P. O Box 720035, Houston Texas, 77272.