This part could have also been named, “Does Jesus bring up rewards much and therefore should we find it important?”
Matthew 5:12 – 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 10:41-42- 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s
reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Matthew 6:1-6 – 1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
When someone tells someone to be careful and not jump in the fire, people take that person seriously.
When someone tells someone to not jump off a 100 foot cliff, once again they take that person seriously. However when Christians try to tell each other we need to be in the Word of God and we need to work for our Lord, they don’t want to hear it or take it seriously.
We’re warned that these things on this earth will pass away. Don’t put all your time and efforts into it. We’re also told by someone we can trust that great is your reward, just love Me, and serve Me, not yourself.
So what are the treasures and rewards? They’re beyond our imagination. However, by faith we work towards them. God loves when we put our faith and trust in Him. Do you trust Him?
So what attitude do we need to have? What do we need to do?
2 Corinthians 4:18 – 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
It’s forever. Forever is so long and that this life will seem like a distant memory that many cherish so much.
Isaiah 65:17 – 17 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
Our King has some encouraging words for us that we best be taking seriously.
Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
He’s closer now than ever.
Revelation 22:20 – 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.