Delayed Reward

Last week I posted a blog titled “Fair Weather Christian” in which I wrote out our fallen human tendency to think God doesn’t answer our prayer because we don’t get what we wanted. Today I have another challenge. In today’s reading from Luke (you can read it below) Christ makes a clear indication that our reward for following Him and living the life He desires for us, will not be in this life. Beware…..there are many who claim that the Gospel promises earthly blessings. The so-called Prosperity Gospel has become hugely popular exactly because of truths of this delayed reward. Our selfish ego demands immediate pleasure, and our society continues to reinforce instant gratification. Children are given stars and applause at even the smallest indication of success at the very moment.

So if you are finding that living the Christian life has become difficult, if you have found it to be filled with struggle, if you have realized the reward never seems to come, do not fear. “Your reward is great in heaven.” Just another example of ‘deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34)

At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6.17-23)