Rewards?
OK, so I am going to have to tackle this piece by piece. I want to be faithful to my own conviction (and scriptures) of questioning everything. I also do not want to get caught up in doing so for the fact of doing so. Having said this, my hope always is for a better understanding to be the result. Not just for a better understanding for the head but so that we can take that better understanding and apply it in our lives for a more genuine act of relationship and understanding with/of God.
What in the world am I getting at? It's this, in my talk on prayer a couple of weeks ago I spoke of Matthew 6:6 where God says that he will reward us. I emphasized the importance of not aiming for a earthly reward (as discussed in the NET notes for vs. 6:4) by praying in public for men to see you, but to pray in secrect so that God who sees in secret will reward you with a "divine" reward.
I then posted last week that I wanted to flesh out this "reward" further. Friday I started to look into this further and began to prepare a post on rewards, but I was suddenly struck with a question; "why reward us?" or maybe better put; "why is the idea of being rewarded discussed with the act of giving and praying?" should we be giving for the reward that comes or praying for the reward that will follow? The question of motive got me blocked in thought so that I could not comfortably post on the power and beauty of a divine reward when I did not fully understand why we were being rewarded in the first place. I get that Jesus wants us to be concerned about our relationship with him and the state of our hearts as opposed to being focused on others seeing us and seeking praise from humans. What I do not get is why I feel like the emphasis in Matthew 6:4-6 seems to be placed on giving and praying simply for the reward that comes.
Let me say that I do understand the empasis or contrast being put on not doing what the hypocrites were doing by giving and praying in public.
I am admitting here to still be in process, but I wanted to be up front about it. So I hope to return this afternoon with a more complete understanding of this idea. If anyone has any explanation for this idea of giving and praying for the reward I am eager to hear...
March 16, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Oldie but goodie... why would God allow me to know the church is cursing or praying... wouldn't that contradict praying in secret to be rewarded?... but just like when preachers say all too often how you shouldn't mention your good deeds or lose your reward... woe... makin up Scripture with that one... God is into the heart of the matter... it's always about the motive... when we tell others of something we did in Christ's name it encourages others to do likewise or similar and so on and so on and so on... or they despise us for the goodness of what we've done and that will be judged too... if you are telling to boast you will lose your reward in Heaven... but 0-0=0 there was none anyway... especially today people need to know what a neighborly kindness looks like... pay the toll for the person behind you or let someone in line go ahead of you because they have a child with them... or look like they are in more of a hurry than you... or even riding you when you're driving... move over, let them pass... you don't know where they are going or why... that's crazy to most... they would never ever think of that on their own... God tells us walk a second mile when asked to go one... we don't walk a mile for anyone with their belongings (unless they are our kids)... I believe there will be rewards for praying because our prayers are the avenue that allows God to work... God gives us the desires of our heart because He put them there... no one prays a prayer that God didn't tap them on the shoulder to consider... it's teamwork... those that respond freely get more assignments... and then more powerful ones... rewards?... if you're asked to do something do you or ignore it?... so goes the wicked, lazy servant... one who doesn't respond to God... figure the site should be shut down at any moment now... blogging has gotta be on pg 576 of the manual... I always thought they were dumb... blogs that is... for people who have nothing to do... gotta go check my e-mail.
PS is becoming an excellent preacher (given the chance and encouragement)… grandpa must be proud… “inherited something you have nothing to do with” must be hard to live with and it’s only natural to avoid and try to downplay because you have… good looking good boys need to preach too… there’s always someone who can relate to knowing God since the day you popped out of the womb.
March 17, 2008 at 9:17 AM
whats up Caleb,
"it's always about the motive"
so true and I totally agree that people need to see what neighborly kindness looks like. that is the danger of a "christian blog" full of thoughts and ideas. there needs to be action/application or what good is it eh?
"no one prays a prayer that God didn't tap them on the shoulder to consider"
I would be interested in hearing you explain this further. I am not sure where I am stand on that idea.
"figure the site should be shut down at any moment now..."
i am sure I am running on borrowed time at this point :)
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