Walking with the Wise #108: Sure Reward

“If the righteous is repaid on earth,
 

how much more the wicked and the sinner!” 

—Proverbs 11:31 

Do you ever get tired of doing the right thing? Do you ever get frustrated when you see the wicked prospering, going on their merry way without ever stopping to think about their actions? How does it make you feel when you see others who do nothing but evil prosper, while you are struggling along? I think we have all felt frustrated at one time or another—trying hard to do the right thing, while others go along seemingly without a care in the world. However, current conditions aren’t an accurate barometer for divine response.

God’s Word teaches us that righteous living has benefit for this life and the life to come, which can be difficult to see. For example, if we give to God liberally, then God will cause us to be blessed liberally. Paul described it this way:

“…whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

‘He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.’

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!”—2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

God will be sure that we reap the fruit of our labor—in this life and in the life to come. He is able to make His grace abound to us (2 Corinthians 9:8), and to enable us to abound in good works (2 Corinthians 9:8) and be enriched in every way (2 Corinthians 9:11).

If God is able to reward us in this way, how much more will He make sure that the wicked receive the punishment for living a life in rebellion toward Him! There is no act of righteousness done on His behalf that goes unnoticed (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). And in the same way, there is no sin that will go overlooked. As Paul wrote, “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap”—Galatians 6:7!

May we live lives that are honoring to Him! May we forsake any sin that entangles us and remember that God will reward us for a life that is lived for Him! Amen.