Peter said, “Master, are you telling this story just for us? Or is it for everybody?” The Master said, “Let me ask you: Who is the dependable manager, full of common sense, that the master puts in charge of his staff to feed them well and on time? He is a blessed man if when the master shows up he’s doing his job. (Luke 12:41-43, MSG)
Jesus promises a reward for those who have been faithful to the Him. While we sometimes experience immediate and material rewards for our obedience to God, this is not always the case. If so, we would be tempted to boast about our achievements and only do good for what we get.
Jesus said that if we look for rewards now, we will lose them later (see Mark 8:36).
Self-help is no help at all. its usually a bunch of self-serving. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self.What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Mark 8:35-37, paraphrased from MSG)
Our heavenly rewards will be the most accurate reflection of what we have done on earth, and they will be far greater than we can imagine.
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isa 64:4)
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Cor 2:9-10)
We need to dwell upon the assurances of God’s Word, to hold them before the mind’s eye. Point by point, day by day, repeat the lessons there given, over and over, until you learn the bearing and import of them. We see a little today, and by meditation and prayer, more tomorrow. And thus little by little we take in the gracious promises until we can almost comprehend their full significance. {6BC 1085.2}
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Rom 8:22-25, NKJV)