The concept of reward is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's justice, grace, and faithfulness. The promise of reward is often linked to obedience, faith, and perseverance in the life of a believer. This entry explores the biblical understanding of reward, its conditions, and its manifestations as presented in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, the promise of reward is frequently associated with the covenant relationship between God and His people. Obedience to God's commandments is often met with tangible blessings. For instance, in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 , it is written, "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God."

The Psalms and Proverbs also emphasize the rewards of righteousness and wisdom. Psalm 19:11 states, "By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward." Similarly, Proverbs 11:18 declares, "The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the promise of reward is expanded to include eternal and spiritual dimensions. Jesus Christ frequently spoke of rewards in the context of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you" (Matthew 5:12).

The Apostle Paul also elaborates on the concept of reward, particularly in relation to faithful service and perseverance. In 1 Corinthians 3:14 , he writes, "If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward." Paul further encourages believers in Galatians 6:9 , "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up."

Conditions and Nature of Rewards

The Bible makes it clear that rewards are contingent upon faithfulness, obedience, and the motives of the heart. Jesus warns against performing righteous acts for the sake of human recognition, stating, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).

The nature of biblical rewards is both present and future, temporal and eternal. While some rewards manifest in this life through God's provision and blessings, the ultimate reward is eternal life and fellowship with God. Hebrews 11:6 underscores this, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Conclusion

The promise of reward in the Bible serves as an encouragement for believers to live lives of faithfulness and obedience. It reflects God's justice and His desire to bless those who earnestly seek Him. While the ultimate reward is eternal, the Scriptures assure believers of God's faithfulness to reward them both in this life and the life to come.