"And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Luke 6:34-36
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:11-12
Are the rewards the Jesus is speaking of here about some future time when you get to heaven or in your life? I think that they are really about rewards in your life right now. How great my reward when I am able to forgive and give up my need to be right! I have the rewards of peace, love, kindness, joy, happiness, and contentment. Think about yourself and all the other people in the world who spend their days, their time, their emotions on being angry, resentful, pissed, hurt, scared, fearful, anxious, and worried when they have to make sure people do not say bad things about them, when they have to be right, and they have to receive payment for their forgiveness or kindness by getting it noticed right now and become angry when it is not noticed! We do not have any reward this way. We are full of emotions and actions that cause us pain in our relationships and our lives.
I could have billions of dollars and be full of anger, hate, resentment, fear, worry, hurt and not experience peace. I would truly be unrewarded and poor. I could also have "nothing" and forgive others, give up my need to be right and experience all the hope, love, peace, and joy in the world. I am the richest and most rewarded person on earth when this happens! These are the rewards that we all are looking for, but in all the wrong places. I truly believe this is why Jesus said things like:
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11
Our rewards are right now. Our rewards are peace and joy in this life and we are lifted up because we become like Christ, with the mind of God and humble ourselves giving up the need to be right! (Philippians 2) We find peace, joy, love, kindness, compassion, hope, and joy when we practice this truth. We are rewarded with riches that everyone is wanting and needing. Not rewards of money, or power, or fame, or things - but of a life of peace and joy. This is what it is like to be the richest person and most rewarded person in the kingdom of God!
Namaste'
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1 comment:
I really love this one. I, too often, think of rewards being in the Kingdom of Heaven as opposed to the Christian Kingdom. Because we're in a world full of anger, bitterness, and revenge, it seems impossible. Being reminded that the mindset will determine what and where the reward is, was very insightful for me. I guess I better keep working on capturing those thoughts! :)
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