16^th January 2025 

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: LOVE OR REWARD?

THEME SCRIPTURE: "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Matthew 19:27 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION  

1. Must we follow Christ because of rewards?

A young man comes to Jesus to ask Him a profound question: "What good thing must I do so that I may have eternal life?" (Matt 19:16). Many people have followed Jesus, yet none asked Him about eternal life. Jesus points this young man to the Ten Commandments (Matt 19:17). In his exuberance, the young man questioned, "Which one [of the commandments]?" Jesus names six of them for him (Matt 19:18-19). His reply was youthful indeed: "All these have I kept since my early days. Do I lack anything?" (Matt 19:20). This man was quite confident in himself, as one deserving eternal life.

Beloved, youth, with all its fervor and impetuosity, is interesting but dear to our Lord. In this young man's encounter with Jesus, youthfulness, wealth, and noble character come into play. He [the young man] was rich. Jesus instructs him to go and sell all that he has and distribute to the poor. After that, he was to come and follow Jesus. Instantly the heart of this young man was manifested. He loved his possessions and not God, so he went home sorrowful. Jesus then turns to His disciples and says,

"Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:23). This is because if a man is clinging to riches, he cannot cling to God.

Precious one, Peter was not impressed with Jesus' words. So he questioned the Master, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" If getting rich will make it difficult for us to enter the kingdom of God, then what benefit is it losing all here and getting nothing in return? Peter asked this as though he was following the Master purposely for material rewards. Instant gratification or material rewards were the concern of the rich man and Peter. It would have been easier for the young man if he was going to get thrice his possession the next day after distributing his wealth. Today, many Christians are like that.

Material rewards and instant gratification have been the motivation of some Christians. They do their best as Christians not because they love the Lord.

However, if we have no love for the Lord, we become as sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.

Yes, God rewards, but His reward system does not appeal to the man who has no love. Don’t look for the immediate rewards of money, comfort, and status when serving God. Instead, be willing to wait for the greater reward of spending eternity in His presence.

But most of all, serve God out of gratitude for what He has done for you and out of love for who He is, not for the rewards that He will give you.

Remain blessed

FURTHER READING: Matthew 19:16-30

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD  

1. How committed are you to the Lord? Do you love Him?

PRAYER  

Eternal Father, your love is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit who dwells in me. If I live, I live for you. All that I will do from today going forward, I will do to the praise and glory of my Father in heaven. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Matthew 16; Genesis 30; Psalm 16