Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
Every choice we make, every word we speak, every act of obedience or disobedience carries eternal weight. The Bible tells us that God will repay each person according to what they have done. That means with every choice we make in our work and service, we are either moving closer to God’s reward or further away from it. Nothing goes unnoticed by God. When we give our best as unto the Lord, there is a reward stored up. But when we grow careless, cutting corners and living only for self, we risk losing what could have been gained. This is not a call to fear – but to faithfulness. A reminder that every effort made in Christ’s name is noticed by heaven. This article shares on how to live for what truly lasts. Be blessed as you read!
Giving your best will be greatly rewarded because God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” The Bible teaches believers to work wholeheartedly, not merely for human masters, but as if they are serving the Lord. It promises that those who do good will receive an inheritance as a reward from the Lord. Whatever good you do will be recognised and rewarded by Him. Ephesians 6 says: “Employees, be obedient to them that are your employers according to the flesh (that is, masters, physical masters or managers) with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ.” So, the Bible teaches us to serve our masters with sincerity, as if we were serving Jesus Himself. We should view our masters in this light and approach our tasks with a genuine heart. It warns us not to serve only when we are being watched or act like people-pleasers. Instead, we should serve as servants of Christ, sincerely fulfilling God’s will from our hearts and with goodwill. We should perform our work as if we are working for the Lord, not for people, knowing that whatever good anyone does, they will receive the same back from the Lord, whether they are bond or free (Ephesians 6:5-8, emphasis added).
Here’s what that means: I am called to be obedient, not to work solely because someone is watching or to please them. Instead, I must approach my work as if God is my manager and Jesus Christ is the authority in my life at that job. I am to labour diligently and give my best – not just when others are observing, but because the Lord Jesus Christ is my Saviour. I am His ambassador and representative, and my work is ultimately for Him. The principle is this: wherever God places me, I should strive to give my best as if I am serving the Lord Jesus Christ alone. This is about how you and I must live every day.
When you wake up tomorrow morning and go to work, will you strive to do your best, or will you just go through the motions and complain? If you choose to do the bare minimum, you’re losing out on rewards every single day. Remember this: each day, we’re either gaining or losing rewards. This isn’t just my opinion; it’s something God has talked about often in the Bible. Rewards matter to God because He loves you and wants to bless you. He will reward you in this life, and one day, when we stand before Him in eternity, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That’s what I want to hear, and I hope you do too.
Strive to excel in everything you do, for God will reward your efforts. When we act in accordance with God’s will, He desires to bless us for it. It does not matter what tasks we undertake or where we do them; the key question is, what is the underlying motivation for your actions? When our intentions are sincere and pure, and we carry out our work in the name of Jesus for the glory of God – whether it’s washing dishes in a kitchen or preaching the gospel – it makes no difference. If you give your best effort, God will reward you. The goal is not to seek recognition or praise from others, but to act out of a desire to fulfil God’s will and bring Him glory and honour.
" Strive to excel in everything you do, for God will reward your efforts. "
If you’re going to wash dishes, do it thoroughly. If you’re going to preach the gospel, give it your best effort. Avoid comparing yourself to others; there will always be someone who can wash dishes better or preach more effectively. The critical question is this: Did you give it your all? Even when you approach these tasks with sincerity and genuine intent, be cautious. Satan can sneak in and deceive you. In the midst of doing your best, if your motivation shifts to seeking recognition, you might find that your rewards diminish. Remember, it’s not about the accolades; it’s about the effort you put forth.
Life can be deceptive, and this is true both in our personal experiences and in the spiritual realm. Many people start their journey with sincere intentions, giving glory to God. However, as time goes on, the desire for recognition can become overwhelming. When this happens, the genuine rewards we seek may fade away. It’s essential to ensure that our actions come from a sincere heart. We should not seek approval from others but focus on obeying God with love, devotion, and sincerity. Is it possible that you’re encountering struggles because that’s where God has positioned you, and it aligns with His will for you at this moment? You’ll receive a reward. Or are you resorting to deceptive tactics or making excuses to avoid handling a situation you are expected to face, simply because it is uncomfortable or undesirable to you? You risk losing your reward.
You may be a believer, and perhaps you’re thinking, “I never considered this before.” Now is the time to start thinking. Life is passing you by, and you don’t want to waste it. You also don’t want to be a poor representative of Jesus and lose your rewards by seeking the approval of others. Consider how many people live their lives based on the acclaim, praise, and acceptance of those around them. Their motivation often comes from wanting the approval of others. Then think about the individuals who work diligently without seeking recognition. Their names are never in the newspaper, on the radio, or on television. Day in and day out, they do their best, not for the applause of people, but simply in obedience to God. Reflect on the rewards God has in store for such individuals. This is why you and I cannot be judges of others.
We are followers of Jesus and ambassadors of Jesus Christ. We strive to give our best every day because we love Him, and that is our motivation. I pray that you will reach a point in your life where, if you’ve been doing things for others, you can lay that down and decide to focus instead on doing everything for Jesus’s sake, for His glory, and for His honour. You will be rewarded for that. I want to encourage you: if you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, remember this: one day, you will stand before Him and give an account for your life. The Bible says, “It is appointed unto man and woman once to die, and after this, the judgment.” It also says that we shall all give an account to God for our lives, for the things done in the body, whether they are good or evil. If you live your life rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ, it ultimately doesn’t matter what else you do.
You might say, “Well, I’ll be rewarded accordingly.” Yes, you will. However, when you have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, and you turn it down, you are rejecting the Son of God. This decision brings upon yourself a judgment you certainly do not want to face for all eternity. Therefore, I urge you in the name of Jesus to ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to trust Him as your personal Saviour. You can do this by praying the following prayer:
“Father, I am asking You to forgive me of my sins. I believe that Jesus’s death on the cross paid my sin debt in full. By Your grace and love, I trust that You accept me and forgive me of my sins.”
He will respond the moment you ask Him.
