02/11/2024
As I read a devotional one morning, and I contemplated its theme... “God Rewards”. It caused me to take pause, and think about the ways that statement was true, and to compare it to the many ways that this broad statement was not. On this particular morning E.M. Bounds had written the words "Faith believes that God rewards.", and although that is true, it is not unconditionally true. Some tie this way of thinking to a religion of prosperity, but this is a deadly trap.
Bounds went on to lead us down this rabbit hole by saying:
"No truth is more clearly revealed and none is more encouraging in scripture than this. Serving God - no matter how insignificant it may seem - will yield a reward." – E.M. Bounds
Satan has a way of twisting truth into half-truths, and this is one of those times. We must be very careful when we associate the act of making promises to God during prayer to receiving His answer, or praying for wealth to satisfy our own lusts or wills. I struggle with the idea that God answers prayer or dispenses gifts of spirit or wealth as the result of a barter agreement. This premise belittles the relationship we should have with our Heavenly Father. God doesn't answer prayer because we promised Him something in return for it when we prayed... He answers prayer because of our loving relationship with him; our faith in Him, and His love for us. Our prayers should be an integral part of our relationship with the almighty, and not hinged on anything of our own doing. Doesn’t this idea that we can earn answered prayer undermine God’s grace?
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV
Serving God blesses us in ways that are indescribable, but once again our hearts must be focused on our relationship with Him. If we are serving or praying to God to get something from the exchange then that is the absolute wrong reason to serve or pray. We should serve Him because He is worthy of our praise, love, and service. And, we should pray in His will and not our own. We are meant to give to Him just as He gives to us… without condition.
“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God”
2 Corinthians 3:4-5 ESV
I know that E.M. Bounds realizes this truth regarding prayer and service because of his many other writings, but if we come away from this particular devotional message with one thing it should be this.... God doesn't simply reward prayer; He answers the prayers of those He is in relationship with, and those who are seeking a relationship with Him. Prayers are not coins or jewels that we can use to purchase services or rewards from God, they are heart felt conversations and requests between ourselves and our Heavenly Father of all grace and love.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for all that you give to us in answer to our prayers, and we thank you for giving these things to us unconditionally as we pray from our hearts in conformance to your will, and in the name of Jesus. There is nothing we have that is worth even the most minute of gifts you give us except our unconditional love for you, and the glory you receive by giving to us from the fullness of your grace. Help us Lord to understand that we are not sufficient in ourselves, and that only by your grace are we given any reward at all. Help us to understand as we read scripture regarding the rewards you give us that they are not because of our doing, beyond those things you have already allowed us. You reward us with life everlasting and so many other things… all by your grace. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who rewards us by your unconditional grace that was given to us through Jesus despite out shortcomings and sinful natures. You sent your only begotten son to redeem us with His blood, and as we receive Him we praise you, and give you all the glory for who He was, He is, and He is to come… our savior and redeemer, your Prince of Peace, and the Perfect Lamb of God. Hear our prayers Abba as we offer them in humility, not for reward, nor to advance ourselves in any way, but to ease our pain and suffering, and to glorify you in them. Answer us Lord God as we seek you with all our heart, and lift up our prayers unto you with trembling, and nail pierced hands, in the Name of Jesus.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
Rich Forbes