STRIVING FOR GOD’S REWARD

by T.d. KASUKU K.K.

        a)   We don’t serve God for nothing

1 Corinthians 15 : 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless (not in vain, not a waste of time or effort, not without effect in the Lord, your labor isn't going to be for nothing in the Lord,

CSB Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

NIRV My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Don't let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless.

TNIV Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

WNT Therefore, my dear brethren, be firm, unmovable, busily occupied at all times in the Lord's work, knowing that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord.

 b)   We don’t live a pure life (fear God) for nothing

Psalm 73:13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

NLT Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?

c)     God always makes the difference between those who serve him and those who don’t serve him

Malachi 3:14 You said, "Serving God is useless. What do we gain by keeping his obligation or by walking around as mourners before the LORD of heavenly forces?

15 From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.'"

18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not"

 d)   Whatever done without God’s approval (blessing, favor,…), with bad motives,  not in God’s Scriptures basis, not according to God’s model (principles, pattern, standard…) and not pursuing Kingdom of God’s purpose is done in vain

§  

        Without God

Psalm 127 1- Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones

With bad motives

Matthew 7: 22-23 On judgment day many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized. ' NLT

MSG And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

CSB Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers! '

§  Unrespect of rules

2 Timothy 2, 5 If anyone competes in athletics; he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules WEB

ESV An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according the rules

§  Not kingdom minded

Mark 8:36 What good does it do for people to win the whole world yet lose their lives?

e)    God rewards faithfulness

Matthew 25:21 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.

Luke 16:10 He who is true in a little, is true in much; he who is false in small things, is false in great.