Stewardship 16 – rewards

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the stewardship and God’s eternal rewards for faithfulness.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 3:5-15

5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

9  For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13  each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  14  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  15  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Observations

1. Summarize Pauls’ arguments in your own words in each of the following sections:
   1. Verses 5-8
   2. Verses 9-11
   3. Verses 12-15
2. Paul speaks of Spiritual ministry in wo metaphors in this section:
   1. Describe the metaphor he uses in verses 5-9a (the believer’s spiritual life and the spiritual worker’s “vocation” – what is good in this metaphor, why is it lacking?)
   2. Describe the metaphor he uses in verses 9b-15 (the believer’s spiritual life and the spiritual worker’s “vocation” – what is good in this metaphor, why is it lacking?)
3. In both these metaphors Paul refers to “the reward” for good work (verse 8 and verses 13-15).
   1. What does “the Day” refer to? (verse 13)
   2. What “test of fire” do you understand Paul speaks about in context here [hint: he is talking about “builders”…]?
   3. What do you make of verse 15, also referring to “builders”: “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

Application and Prayer

In this section Paul refers to apostles specifically, and spiritual minsters in general who use their gifts to build into believers (churches and individuals); he promises that their ministry will be revealed for truthfulness when Jesus returns and they will receive a reward; they will not be saved by the truthfulness of their ministry, but rewarded for its sincerity.  This is certainly true for every calling: you will receive a reward, as Paul writes elsewhere:

Colossians 3:22-25

22  Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25  But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

1. Stewardship promises rewards – good or bad, according to your faithfulness.
   1. Stop and reflect for a while on your work. Are you a good worker (or mother, or student, or… – depending on your main daily activity)?  Are you faithful with what the Lord has entrusted to you?  Write your thoughts down.
   2. Ask the Lord how you are doing with what he has entrusted to you. Ask Him about the rewards he has for you.  Write it down.
   3. What can you do to remind yourself daily that your faithfulness at work [your main daily activity] will have eternal consequences – that it will be rewarded eternally?

[This concludes the series on Stewardship]

Eternal Judgment 4

The Aim of this devotional study of to reflect on the eternal rewards believers will receive because of service to God and his people.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 3:5-15

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  7  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9  For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

10  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  11  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13  each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

14  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

15  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Observation

Note: The background to the portion of Scripture is that Paul is defending his apostleship, stating that both he and Apollos serves Christ and Christ will test and reward both their labors in Corinthian church.

1. Write a short point-by-point description of the rewards one will receive according to this Text. (hint: focus on v8-9, 10, 13, 14-15).
2. Will we all be measured and rewarded according to the same scale one day? Clarify. (v10)
3. How can we be certain that this judgment is (or these rewards are) only for believers? (hint: v5-6, v12, and especially v15).
4. What is “the Day” that Paul speaks of in verse 13?
5. What could it mean that “[one’s] work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he will be saved – yet as through fire.”? (v15)

Reflection

1. Are you one who is motivated by positive or negative rewards? Do you work harder because you fear failure or punishment, or do you work harder when someone promises a pleasant reward for you?  Why?
2. Consider Jesus’ encouragement to “store up treasures in heaven.” [Matthew 6:19-21] Would you agree that Jesus aimed to inspire his disciples to do righteous / benevolent deeds?  How does that make you feel?
3. What can you do today that will ensure a reward for you in heaven?

Prayer

Jesus said to “pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” [Matthew 6:6] So take time today and press for whatever pressing need there is in the world, country, city, community of your family that presses on your heart.  If you are clueless what to pray for ask God to show you what is on his heart, and perhaps even go to www.News24.com or pray through the newspaper.

Salvation 8

The Aim of this devotional study is to discover the process (sanctification) and completion (glorification) of our salvation.

Scripture

1 Peter 1:3-9

3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9  receiving the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls.

Observations

1. What phrases that Peter use make you realize that you have been saved by grace, and through faith?
2. What phrases that Peter use indicate that your salvation (and inheritance) is secure?
3. What phrases that Peter use indicate that now at present God is working in various ways to work out your salvation?
4. What phrases that Peter use point to a specific moment in the future when your salvation will be complete?

Application

1. Peter writes that hardships (in this case – religious persecution resulting imprisonment, poverty and even beatings) tests our faith. How does it test our faith, and what impact does it have on our salvation?
2. Have you ever experienced that difficult times test your faith? When and how?  (if not, do you know someone that went through such hardship?  What do you know about their faith?)

Prayer

Prayerfully reflect on your current life circumstances and your hope of an glorious inheritance in Christ.  Paul wrote somewhere that “there light afflictions does not compare to the glory that awaits us in Christ”. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the glorious inheritance in reserved for you Christ.