Pursuing Eternal Rewards:
From Profit-Driven Enterprise To Heaven-Laden Rewards.
A major factor in the rise of the free-market economy is the craving for profit by stakeholders, thus driving people to compete, excel, achieve, and cheat to attain desired goals. It also engenders a fear of possible failure - disqualification, bankruptcy, and loss - reflecting an endless rat race in our world. Until recent times, it was easy to draw a distinction between a commercial firm and a church, and between a profit-driven enterprise and a non-profit. The church in origin and character, falls in the non-profit category catering to its members' needs and is dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus, and His kingdom.
Jesus is God’s gift to humanity. John 3:16 is a popular Bible verse that appeared on bumper stickers, T-shirts, and placards at sporting events. It recaps the story of salvation: Of God’s love, demanding nothing for human salvation. It’s for whoever believes in God’s anointed One: Jesus. To believe means trusting Jesus alone for salvation; it means submission to Him and His word. So, eternal life is a gift, freely given. Ephesians 2: 8 puts it more succinctly: “For it is by grace, you have been saved through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
In Mattew 10: 5-8 Jesus sent out his disciples with a command to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
But today, the opposite is the case. The line of distinction between church and commerce has virtually disappeared, as businessmen parading as pastors and apostles have infiltrated church leadership and administration. The Christian church, from all accounts, is corrupted having been turned into a money-making industry. School leavers and College graduates now find attractive career paths to success and wealth in the church. Ministry and church founders, in retirement, hand over church properties and administration to their children. As in secular business, the church is now a family affair.
In contention, is ongoing polemics on the relevance of an Old Testament, arguably anachronistic tithing code in a New Testament Church. Tithe and tithing will remain a pressure point for pastors and apostles who enrich themselves with tithes and offerings accruing from church memberships. For too long, church congregants have been motivated and coerced to pay tithes. Understandably, church leaders generally, are neither here nor there on tithe and tithing. However, what should not be tolerated is the heresy of making tithing the prerequisite for making it to Heaven, as a couple pastors and apostles - General Overseers of some Nigerian mega churches are known to preach and teach. Their stance on tithing has rendered null and void the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the doctrine of salvation by grace.
Here’s the bottom line: The motivation for ministry in many parts of our world, especially in Africa and some parts of North America is “What is in it for me?”
There’s a mixup: Preachers and Bible teachers tend to mix up eternal life for all believers, secured in Christ’s death and resurrection with Rewards for a life lived in obedience to Jesus’ command—two different dynamics:
In heaven, individual work of grace advancing God’s kingdom on earth, will be rewarded. Some believers will receive more rewards than others.
Consider the following passages:
“...the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward” (1 Corinthians 3: 13-14 ESV).
“I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV).
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?” (1 Thessalonians 2: 19 NIV).
“Watch yourselves, so that you may keep what we have worked for, but may win a full reward” (2 John 1: 8 ESV).
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day (2 Timothy 4: 8 NIV).
In the parables on Stewardship (The Sower, The Talents, The Faithful Steward, The Moneylender), Jesus is speaking primarily about our stewardship of his Word entrusted to us. The question being asked is what are you doing with Jesus - His Word, His commands, His mission, His grace, His love, His forgiveness, His guidance, His gifts?
This is what stewardship is really about. We shall all be judged on our faithfulness or lack of it in advancing the gifts and commands of Jesus to us.
In the judgment to come, the reward will be given and with great disparity, to the extent that even a “cup of water given in Jesus’ name will receive due reward.
Rewards will come in the varying levels and degrees of “Well done, good and faithful servant…”
