“There is something enormously satisfying in knowing you have received
your maximum potential in life.” (page 268, Spiritual Leadership)
A) Rewards of Integrity (Spiritual Leadership, Blackaby) – By being a person of integrity, four areas of your life will be rewarded.
1. Integrity at home – Be the real hero at home, not work … Greatest joy comes from family.
2. Integrity at work – Find your niche and pursue it with excellence. Carry out God’s will with enthusiasm. (Colossians 3:17, 23; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
3. Integrity in Relationships – Don’t alienate friends; i.e., Samuel.
4. Integrity with Self – Don’t violate your morals and convictions (Matthew 27:3-5). If
you’ve blown it, confess it and move on (page 275, Spiritual Leadership).
This section is the overview of the whole study on rewards. Each section builds on each other. Insights from this section, along with C, D, and E, will help for understanding of Sections F and G. Sections F and G should be taught together, as you will get a clear contrast and understanding of how rewards will be given out in heaven. This chapter has nothing to do with salvation. In order to receive any rewards in heaven, we need to be saved; so salvation is not part of the discussion. This chapter is taken from Bruce Wilkinson’s book, A Life God Rewards (2002).
B) Luke 14:10-14
1) Verses 10-12 – Who will repay you for your generosity? God
2) Verse 13 – Whom should you invite? Invite, involve yourself with those
who can’t earthly pay you back.
3) Verse 14a – What will you be? Have you ever been blessed?
Be blessed.
4) Verse 14b – When will you be repaid? In heaven.
God will repay you after you are dead. When you do a worthy deed for someone who can’t repay you, you will be repaid and that payment will come in the next life. Plus, you will be blessed. God does bless or repay some now, but what Jesus is saying, specific actions on our part will continue to affect our lives into eternity. His eternal rewards come later and they begin with something you do today.
5) Definition of reward. Greek word in Luke
6) Second word for reward – Luke 14:14 – Apodidomai – meaning Apo – back and didomai – to give or give back in return or repay (Luke 10:35). When you receive His apodidomai, you are being reimbursed in full measure for what you did on His behalf. This includes everyday acts (Mark
C) Jesus’ teachings (pg 38-39 A Life God Rewards)
1) God will reward you for seeking Him through spiritual acts such as fasting and praying. (Matthew 6:6; Hebrews 11:6)
2) God will reward you for submitting to your employer as a faithful steward. (Matthew 24:45-47; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:22-24)
3) God will reward you for self-denial in His service. (Matthew 16:24-27)
4) God will reward you for serving those in need in His name. (Mark
5) God will reward you for suffering for His name and reputation. (Luke 6:22-23)
6) God will reward you for sacrifices you make for Him. (Luke 6:35) In fact, Jesus said that every person who sacrifices to follow Him will be rewarded a hundredfold! (Matthew 19:29) One penny equals $1000.
7) God will reward you for sharing of your time, talent, and treasure to further His kingdom. (Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:18-19)
D) Remember God is gracious and generous, not that I am deserving of rewards – (Luke
E) I Corinthians
gold standard.
1) Test of Relationship – John 15:5; Revelation 2:2-4.
2) Test of Motive – Matthew 6:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31.
3) Test of Love – Luke 6:35; 1 Corinthians 13:3.
4) Don’t suffer loss – I Corinthians
F) Luke 19:11-27 – Parable of the Minas
1) Ten servants are given a mina (about three years’ wage) and do business until the nobleman returns.
2) Verses 15-17 – First servant – Ten-fold increase. Response was, “Well done and now you have authority over ten cities “ (because he had just been made King).
3) Verses 18-19 – Second servant – Five-fold increase, given five cities but not told well done or good servant or you were faithful. The master knew this servant steward could have done more to multiply his mina.
4) Verses 20-26 – Third servant – Nothing – called wicked and his one mina was given to the first servant. We invariably give the greatest future opportunity to the person who has proven to be the most productive with the present opportunity.
5) Three Misbeliefs and Truths
a. God doesn’t really care if we don’t make the most of every opportunity with the gifts and talents we have. Truth of the first steward shows God expects us to take the resources of our lives and greatly multiply them for His kingdom.
b. God’s reward system will be a general commendation that applies to all equally and won’t charge our future opportunities in the kingdom. Truth of the second steward is God rewards our work for Him but it will be in direct proportion to how much we have multiplied our lives for Him. His response will have a major and eternal impact on our future.
c. We think that if we don’t serve God with what He’s given us, the worst that will result is no reward. Truth of Third Steward is if we do not use what God has placed in our care for Him, we will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:15) of both potential reward we could have earned and the opportunity to serve God more fully in eternity. Am I a Ten Minas Steward???
G) Matthew 25:14-30
1) The three stewards were given according to their ability (15).
2) First two servants double what they had been given. The Master gives the same commendation and reward to both because a servant’s reward is based on total results in light of potential. They both were fruitful and will be made ruler over many things.
3) Verses 24-30 – Not using the talent, you are wicked, lazy and lose it. It will be given to the one using his greatest potential.
4) Ruling
a We will desperately want to serve God in heaven. Doing is a servant’s
language of devotion. In heaven, more opportunity to do God’s Will, through loving service, will be our highest reward.
b. Ruling – The highest word for serving. At Creation God made us for a particular task – to serve Him on earth by being a good steward of His creation. Jesus confirmed this purpose – (Matthew 19:28)
c. Luke 19:17; Matthew 25:21, 23.
Be a servant of God who will one day in God’s presence be told “well done,” for being faithful to your responsibilities.
d. Persevere! Malachi 3:14-18 ------- God will not forget. He is love and is fair!
God is keeping score of what goes on here on earth. We need to continue to be faithful at what God has called us.
H) Revelation
2 Timothy 4:8.
I) Legacy - “Great leaders are people who make those around them better people as well” (page 276, Spiritual Leadership). “History judges a man, not by his victories or defeats, but by his results” (Winston Churchill). Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:16-20 – Jesus left His legacy for us all.
J) Reward of Influence – Proverbs 2:1-9. Based on who the person is, not the position, “Leaders who graciously encourage the next generation and help them assure leadership roles will continue to make valuable contributions long after the name plates come off their office doors” (pages 284-285, Spiritual Leadership).
K) “True joy comes in knowing that one’s work has been preserved and is continuing due to the leader’s careful preparation of a successor. While Ronald Reagan was president, he met with Vice President George Bush every Thursday for lunch.” (pg 279-280 – Spiritual Leadership)
OUTLINE OF THIS MATERIAL CAME FROM “SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP” BY HENRY BLACKABY (copyright 2001)
TOP LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS CAME FROM “THE TOP TEN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS” JOHN MAXWELL’S INJOY VOL 13 #3, SEPTEMBER 1997
REWARDS TAKEN FROM “A LIFE GOD REWARDS” BY BRUCE WILKINSON (copyright 2002)
