Are Eternal Rewards Enough for You?
Devotional Scripture: Mark 10:28-31
Key Verse: Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30
I’m not a hoarder; I love throwing things away. There’s just something so satisfying about purging papers I no longer need or deep cleaning the hall closet filled with all the stuff we never use. It makes me feel productive.
But what’s a lot harder is offering up the things I use and love and cherish, which is honestly a lot more difficult for me than it is my husband. He’s the type who will gladly give the shirt off his back if someone is in need. And then there’s me, over in the corner, having an internal struggle because are you sure, Lord, this is my favorite shirt!
Giving to God (or others) the things I love (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) is not easy, especially if it’s something I’ve worked hard for or looked forward to. I like my stuff and my time and my people. There’s comfort in surrounding myself with all the things I treasure, as well as an innate desire to hold onto them.
The problem is holding tight to all that is near and dear to me is not the Father’s will. The call of the disciple is to empty your most cherished cup and trust God to refill it. Take that cup and pour it out for the sake of the gospel. In other words, release your grasp on this world and cling to Jesus instead.
Letting Go of Earthly Treasure
But radical abandonment of worldly treasure in exchange for radical trust in God’s goodness is easier said than done. Let’s go ahead and be honest about that. But listen: it’s when we make God our most treasured possession that we have a fighting chance at loving Him with our whole heart. You see, the soul that seeks fulfillment in the world will forever go on looking, while the soul who seeks satisfaction in God finds rest from all the searching.
Therefore, Jesus urges us to let go, and at the same time, assures us that our sacrifice is not unnoticed. After watching the rich young ruler walk away from Jesus—unwilling to give up his earthly treasure in exchange for a heavenly one—Peter says on behalf of the disciples, “See, we have left everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28).
Essentially, Peter is asking, “Hey, what about us? We left it all behind to follow you. Does that mean we have treasure in heaven?” In response, Jesus says to the disciples, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).
Jesus Promises the Cost Is Worth It
Now, I can’t sit here and tell you I understand everything Jesus is implying with that statement. But I know a promise when I see one, and that’s a promise. Houses and family members and fields and good-paying jobs and comfort and security are things we treasure dearly. We aren’t talking about giving God the things we don’t want anymore. We’re talking about all the things we love most handed over to God so His purpose and plan can prevail in our lives.
So what is it that you treasure the most? Are you willing to give it up to follow Christ? There’s no reward for setting our families aside to chase personal dreams. But for the missionary who leaves everything they’ve ever known to spread the gospel. Or the mom who trusts God with her kids for the sake of Christ. Or the couple who sets aside a profitable business for full-time ministry. Or the person who says no to the world and yes to God, there is the promise of a hundredfold.
Whatever valuable cup you’re willing to empty, God will overflow it with more spiritual blessing than you could ever imagine. Your cup will not remain empty! But how God fills it and when and where and with whom will be different for each of us. His creativity and understanding are beyond our comprehension.
Just because you leave behind piles of money to follow Christ doesn’t mean God’s going to bless you financially a hundredfold in return, but He will bless you, and God’s blessing is never disappointing. Trust me, the spiritual blessings of God are far better than anything this world can offer. The question is, do we believe that?
God Is Better Than All of This
To follow Jesus—to be his disciple—is not a ticket for the plush life, so don’t hear me saying that. Romans 8:17 says we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, “provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” But we take heart knowing “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18).
An eternal reward exists for the persistent Christ-follower like nothing we could ever conjure up in our busy brains. Faith is not only believing that God exists but believing God rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
I know it sounds weird to say it, but we can rest knowing God is the one keeping score. He sees you, and not even a cup of water given for the glory of Christ goes unnoticed by God (Mark 9:41). Yes, the Lord might ask us to give up some things, and it might be challenging, but there’s a hundredfold in store if you’re willing. Spiritual, eternal rewards are real. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
The rich young ruler couldn’t quite make the jump, and he walked away from Jesus very sad (Mark 10:22). But Moses left it all behind, and I have no doubt he is glad. For he “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Heb. 11:26). And that, my friend, is the goal.
Lift your eyes and look around—God is more valuable than all of this. But is the promise of eternal rewards enough for us to say yes to God no matter how much it might cost us? Oh little flock, do not fear, for your Father in heaven promises to reward you.
Contemplate and Evaluate: How often do you consider eternal rewards? Why do you think it’s so hard for us to give up earthly treasures in exchange for heavenly ones?
