The call for individuals to serve God permeates the entire Bible (See Ex 23:25, Jn 12:26, Col 3:24, etc.). He uses people to promote - and expand - His Kingdom. He repays such service with ... eternal rewards. "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me" (Rev 22:12). We know these rewards are safe and incorruptible, but we don't really know much more than that. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal" (Mt 6:19,20). But, He also tells us, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1Cor 2:9). These rewards are beyond our current ability to grasp. Of course, these transactions are undertaken totally by faith. "Takers" believe God is willing and able to use individuals effectively and that He keeps impeccable records - knowing who did what.

For two summers, I was a door-to-door salesman. The goal was to maximize work hours, minimize expenses, and send as much cash as possible into company headquarters. Then at summer's end - pick up one big paycheck. The gaining of eternal rewards has some similar elements. We are looking to one big Payday. "Well done, good slave. Because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities" (Lk 19:17).

The case for dismissing "rights" to eternal rewards for anybody is quite strong. For starters, "Salvation is from the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). While Jonah was probably referring to deliverance from the belly of the great fish, those with even a cursory Bible understanding know that "to God the Lord belong escapes from death" (Ps 68:20). Our most urgent need is deliverance from the deaths of sin - all three of them; spiritual, physical and eternal. But, on our own initiative "there is none who seeks for God" (Ro 3:11). Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (Jn 6:44). The Bible is clear on this matter. Scores of verses support this. If you think you are going to stand before God and say, "Yeah, I woke up one day and knew I needed You in my life. I started reading the Bible and I figured out who Jesus was and what that meant. Then I decided to accept Him, and I ... I ... I ...." (This next statement is blunt, but know I am speaking ... to myself first). If you think you engineered your faith and understanding of the things of God - you have deceived yourself. So, such a one has "rights" to eternal rewards?

But, even as Christians, we cannot claim total credit for our service. We do become "God's fellow-workers" with each receiving "his own reward according to his own labor" (1Cor 3:8,9). But, deep behind the scenes of our willing service, we find these assertions: "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10) and "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). So, God prepares labors for us and motivates us toward them ... and even spiritually equips us (1Cor 12:4-31) ... and then grants eternal rewards for cooperating?

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