Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

Matthew 5:12a

God keeps a different scorecard than the world does. People measure success by money, fame, and what others think of them. They chase after things that don't last and praise that fades away. But God measures success by faithfulness, love, and how you treat others. His rewards last forever, not just for a season.

Earthly rewards come and go, but heaven's rewards never disappear. You might work hard and never get the promotion you deserve. Others might take credit for your good ideas or ignore your efforts. People might forget the kind things you do or overlook your sacrifices. But God sees everything you do in secret and remembers every act of love.

Even the richest people in history have discovered that earthly treasures disappoint. In 1937, John D. Rockefeller died as one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. When reporters asked his accountant how much money Rockefeller left behind, the man replied, "He left it all." No matter how much wealth, power, or fame you pile up on earth, you can't take any of it with you. The only rewards that matter are the ones waiting for you in heaven.

The Greek word for "reward" is "misthos," which means wages earned through work. It's not a gift you get for free, but payment you earn through faithful service. God doesn't owe you anything, but He chooses to reward those who serve Him. Every act of kindness, every moment of suffering for Him, every choice to do right gets written down in heaven's record books.

Every earthly disappointment is preparing you for heavenly celebration. Think about the times you did good but got nothing for it. Consider the moments you chose God's way and lost something because of it. Remember the people who never thanked you for your kindness or noticed your sacrifice. Ask yourself if you're working for people's approval or God's approval. The applause you don't get today will become the reward you receive forever.

The right response to earthly disappointments is to invest in eternal rewards. Don't chase after things that rust, break, or get stolen from you. Instead, focus on acts of love, kindness, and faithfulness that build treasure in heaven. When you don't get the credit you deserve here, remember that God is keeping perfect records there. Store up rewards that thieves can't steal and time can't destroy.

Godseekers, God is preparing rewards for you that will make every earthly disappointment seem small. He's not keeping track to punish you but to bless you beyond anything you can imagine. When the world overlooks your faithfulness, heaven is taking notes. Your reward is coming, and it will be worth the wait.

Prayer

Dear God, help me remember that You see every good thing I do, even when others don't notice. Give me patience to wait for Your rewards instead of chasing after things that don't last. Fill my heart with joy knowing that You're preparing something amazing for me in heaven. Help me work for Your approval, not people's praise. Thank You for promising rewards that will never fade away or be taken from me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• What earthly rewards have you been chasing that might be distracting you from eternal ones?
• How would your daily choices change if you truly believed God was keeping track of your faithfulness?

Step of Faith

Today, I will do something kind or faithful without expecting thanks or recognition, trusting that God sees and will reward my service to Him.