Our society is geared toward getting rewards…we get rewarded with a paycheck or commissions for work, awards for contests, sales or profits for products and services, votes and wins for campaigns or elections, attention or recognition for performances…the list goes on. So it is only natural that we would seek rewards from God for doing His work, right? Only, how do we know we are being rewarded when we can’t see, hear or touch our God, much less know for sure if we are doing His work? And wouldn’t it be nice to be rewarded here on earth instead of waiting for our heavenly rewards?
Sometimes it may seem like we are trying to do His work but we are definitely not being rewarded…at least not according to our own preference, timing and, dare I say, denomination. It is hard if not impossible to stay grateful, peaceful or joyful when I get stuck in the mode of feeling frustrated with God because I am not being “rewarded†with enough money, sales, awards, recognition (yes, I want them all) even though I am carrying out the work I believe He placed on my heart, writing contemporary novels based on Bible stories. But as I reflect on all of this, I realize that in searching for these tangible rewards, I lose sight of God’s Will and meeting the needs of others through my work – which in and of itself, should be the earthly reward I truly seek, and will most likely bring about the rest!
My calling or purpose in life was solidified when I read this passage in a book by Deepak Chopra titled “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success,” which states: “Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal,” and further, “You have a unique talent and a unique way of expressing it. There is something that you can do better than anyone else in the whole world–and for every unique talent and unique expression of that talent, there are also unique needs. When these needs are matched with the creative expression of your talent, that is the spark that creates affluence. Expressing your talents to fulfill needs creates unlimited wealth and abundance.”
So, when I am feeling lack, it seems I just need to shift my focus from seeking wealth and abundance to using my talents to “give to others” and “meet unique needs.”  Or as Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans pursue all these things and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt: 6:31-33)
Lord, let it be enough, even when I am struggling to pay my bills, that I do Your Work to help and give to others, to meet their needs and to build Your Kingdom, and let that work be enough of a reward in itself, for I know my true reward will be in Heaven when you say, like you did in the Parable of the Talents, “well done my, good and faithful servant.”Â
