Good Morning “Future Reward Seekers.” Today we are in Job 35.
As Elihu continues his rebuke, he considers Jobs real question.
Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?’” Job 35:3 NIV
If our faithfulness to The Word and our obedience during our life time doesn’t promise us protection from harm, blessing, health, wealth and prosperity… “Then what is the point? That doesn’t seem fair.” It’s a real question. It’s one that at times, we’ve likely all asked.
It’s a question that opportunists have sought to answer favorably… “You can have it all! In fact God wants you to. You can simply “Name it and claim it!”” Man that kind of talk gets people excited. So you mean God is like a genie in a lamp for me?
NO absolutely not!!! Scripture never promises those sorts of things here and now. At least not in the manner suggested by these “Prosperity” teachers. But God does promise to walk through this sin filled world with us (Hebrews 13:5). Furthermore the promise that IS reiterated throughout Scripture is reward for ETERNITY in Heaven with Him (Matthew 6:19-21)for years without end. Hmmm… some goodies for a short time here on earth, a lifetime, or… unimaginable paradise FOREVER. Not just for 18, 60, 80 or 100 years but for cajillions of years. Numbers of years so big we have no real words for them. Hmmm… seems like a good trade to me, how about you?
The fact is, the struggles we face in this world are a result of the sin in it. That will not be removed this side of Glory. When we demonstrate faithfulness in the midst of it… we Glorify God and build future reward. That’s the point.
Paul understood it…
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”
Romans 8:18-19 NIV
All of Romans 8 is a great read regarding this issue.
The resume of suffering Paul refers to is impressive. Speaking of others boasting he addresses the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:22-30.
Consider Hebrews 11 and the list of champions of faith given there. Affectionately referred to as The “Hall of Faith”, have you ever paid attention to the closing of that chapter?
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV Another side of the coin is found in Judges 3:1-6
Their promised reward comes later. In eternity. Not a temporary reward, but a FOREVER one. Don’t we try to teach our children to value the greater reward over the minuscule immediate?
“Dad I got some monies, I want to buy some candy.”
“Buddy, let’s think about it. Your birthday is coming. You could save that money, and put it with more money you get, and someday maybe buy something bigger like a bike. Even better you could give it, or at least some of it to someone who needs it even more…”
Hmmm… a lesson not just for children.
Love you all! Dig in!
As Elihu continues his rebuke, he considers Jobs real question.
Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?’” Job 35:3 NIV
If our faithfulness to The Word and our obedience during our life time doesn’t promise us protection from harm, blessing, health, wealth and prosperity… “Then what is the point? That doesn’t seem fair.” It’s a real question. It’s one that at times, we’ve likely all asked.
It’s a question that opportunists have sought to answer favorably… “You can have it all! In fact God wants you to. You can simply “Name it and claim it!”” Man that kind of talk gets people excited. So you mean God is like a genie in a lamp for me?
NO absolutely not!!! Scripture never promises those sorts of things here and now. At least not in the manner suggested by these “Prosperity” teachers. But God does promise to walk through this sin filled world with us (Hebrews 13:5). Furthermore the promise that IS reiterated throughout Scripture is reward for ETERNITY in Heaven with Him (Matthew 6:19-21)for years without end. Hmmm… some goodies for a short time here on earth, a lifetime, or… unimaginable paradise FOREVER. Not just for 18, 60, 80 or 100 years but for cajillions of years. Numbers of years so big we have no real words for them. Hmmm… seems like a good trade to me, how about you?
The fact is, the struggles we face in this world are a result of the sin in it. That will not be removed this side of Glory. When we demonstrate faithfulness in the midst of it… we Glorify God and build future reward. That’s the point.
Paul understood it…
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”
Romans 8:18-19 NIV
All of Romans 8 is a great read regarding this issue.
The resume of suffering Paul refers to is impressive. Speaking of others boasting he addresses the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:22-30.
Consider Hebrews 11 and the list of champions of faith given there. Affectionately referred to as The “Hall of Faith”, have you ever paid attention to the closing of that chapter?
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV Another side of the coin is found in Judges 3:1-6
Their promised reward comes later. In eternity. Not a temporary reward, but a FOREVER one. Don’t we try to teach our children to value the greater reward over the minuscule immediate?
“Dad I got some monies, I want to buy some candy.”
“Buddy, let’s think about it. Your birthday is coming. You could save that money, and put it with more money you get, and someday maybe buy something bigger like a bike. Even better you could give it, or at least some of it to someone who needs it even more…”
Hmmm… a lesson not just for children.
Love you all! Dig in!
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