Reward

A reward is one form of encouragement for achieving an established goal or completed task. It is a powerful stimulating means calling a person to certain actions to achieve an expected result.

Rewards can be material (money, valuable things), social (medals, certificates of honor, acceptance into society), spiritual (respect, recognition of talent or authority, raising social status), internal (satisfaction from success, joy, increased self-esteem, awareness of usefulness and significance).

All of us who believe in Christ are promised various rewards, many of which we already receive in this life, and something awaits us only after the Second Coming of Christ.

The greatest reward that will be given to all the saved, regardless of the duration of their faith and the amount of work performed, will be the same for all and issued to each forever. Jesus taught this in the parable of the workers in the vineyard from Matt. 20:1-16. These servants labored under different conditions with different loads, but each received a denarius. Humanly speaking, it's difficult for us to understand the mathematical calculations of the Master of the house, but it is said of Him that He gave the reward out of goodness, not according to the volume of work. But when I understand what the denarius symbolizes, then I will have no questions for God when expecting and receiving the reward. The denarius in this parable symbolizes Jesus, Whom all the saved will receive equally. This also symbolizes Eternal Life, which will be given to all on equal terms, regardless of deeds. This is also a symbol of righteous character, which will be sealed by God in those who have strived for holiness all their lives, and with which every saved person will be endowed at the moment of their resurrection. The denarius also symbolizes the new incorruptible nature of man, which all the righteous will be clothed with at the Second Coming.

Jesus also assured us that in His Father's house there are many mansions, which are being prepared for us to become our eternal property. John 14:2. It's hard to imagine what this will look like, but definitely this will be some kind of material gift from the Lord, which will belong only to the one to whom it will be given. When planning these mansions, the Lord takes into account our tastes, our temperament, social status, love of nature and open space and much more. I think we will not be disappointed, and a more beautiful neighbor's house will not cause envy and disappointment in us.

When my daughter just began to speak and understand the meaning of words, then I told her that in Heaven her own dwelling is being prepared for her, in which many different animals will live, and she will be able to play with them. She liked this idea so much that she gained a lively interest in the Owner of this construction. She fell in love with such a God Who is so generous to little children and thought everything through for their happiness. But over the years the material world filled my daughter's imagination, and she no longer so enthusiastically perceived information about the future reward.

And how do you, friends, see what is promised to you by God? What attracts you more in Eternity, eternal treasures or the Owner of these treasures, gifts or the Giver? I know your answer, but only God knows how honest it is.

When raising children, we cannot avoid the situation when some of their labor and successful result should be marked by some special reward. Here the special wisdom of parents is needed so that the reward does not become the goal, but is an addition to the joy for the work done.

Promising something for good behavior, it's worth thinking about whether such encouragement will bring benefit. It's always easier to give some sweetness than to conduct explanatory conversations with the child and delve into solving the problem with his behavior. It's important to teach children that the struggle with sin should be carried out not for a reward, but because sin is evil that needs to be eradicated from life for the sake of truth. It's important to convey to children that it's necessary to love truth for the sake of truth itself, and household duties must be performed for the good of the whole family.

While the child is very small, takes first steps and makes first attempts to perform some tasks, he very much needs encouragement, a reward for his efforts. He learns to walk not because a surprise awaits him for this, but because everyone does this. And who among you will praise an adult son for walking? But first steps and first small deeds need special evaluation and encouragement from parents and other family members. And when this learning process is launched, then higher goals should be set.

Monetary reward is a special type of encouragement that needs a delicate and wise approach at a certain time and in certain cases. Money is a direct competitor to God's grace, and therefore it's worth understanding their influence on the child's mind, and in the first years of life they need to be kept away from methods of stimulation and education.

To extract benefit or joy from correct behavior are two opposite directions of life. Inappropriate or thoughtless reward can very quickly change the child's way of thinking, and then it will be difficult to correct or change something. A sense of duty from principle is formed by years of persistent efforts and instructions, while carnal inclinations do not need time and special classes. They quietly wait for their hour to drown out all the good that a person has been taught, if they are released from control.

Christianity is beautiful in that the very process of personality and character formation in the likeness of God is the best event of all life, in the process of which amazing changes of worldview and understanding occur. Feelings and thoughts undergo radical transformations, and the power of the Holy Spirit brings abundant fruit, which decorates and gladdens the heart.

I know what life looks like with God and without Him. And living righteously, I already receive a priceless reward for a better life in this world, which surpasses all worldly goods and grants the heart to experience the happiness of Eternal life already now. And even if it all ends here without continuation, I will say that life with God is much better and more interesting than without Him. But I believe that there is a continuation outside this perishable world, where it will be even better. But now I am gladdened by the very process of life with Jesus and growing in Him. Even if I lose everything material in this life, no one can steal the spiritual wealth of the soul from me. It is hidden in Christ and stored in Heaven. And in the Heavenly reward, I am more interested not in the house, but in whether I will see God's throne from my window, whether I will be able to sit at Jesus' feet. I am also interested in which of you, friends, will be my neighbors.

For children, that reward is good which they do not expect, but they guess that you are generous with surprises and will certainly show your love in some special action that will make them very happy. If your children are more interested in you and your presence, then all your rewards will be a pleasant addition to you. They will be accepted with joy and understanding.

Love knows how to give rewards out of love, out of understanding the child's needs and requirements, from the perspective of developing his righteous character. It befriends wisdom and hides many pleasant surprises for children.

1. Please read Prov. 11:18; Matt. 5:11-12; 10:41-42; Luke 6:22-23,35; Gen. 15:1; Ps. 18:8-12; 126:3; Isa. 40:10-11; 49:4; 62:11; 1 Cor. 3:14, in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What is a reward?

5. What kinds of rewards or remunerations can there be for children?

6. Why is special wisdom from above needed when encouraging a child?

7. Can a child's character be spoiled by inappropriate rewards? If yes, how does this look in practice?

8. Should one, when setting goals before a child and announcing a reward for achievement, understand what motive drives him?

9. Why is it necessary to be extremely wise and careful with monetary reward for children?

10. How can and should a child be encouraged so that he is more interested not in the reward, but in the path to the goal?

11. What to do if my children are already spoiled and don't want to do anything without encouragement?

12. What kind of reward can be called wise? Give several examples.

13. What happens in your heart when you hear what reward the Lord is preparing for you?

14. Are you interested in doing something if no one evaluates your work in any way?