{"id":60028,"date":"2021-12-18T21:51:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-18T18:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=60028"},"modified":"2025-10-22T00:13:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T21:13:15","slug":"how-god-will-reward-his-people-and-the-criteria-he-will-use-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/12\/18\/how-god-will-reward-his-people-and-the-criteria-he-will-use-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"How God Will Reward His People \u2014 And the Criteria He Will Use (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Praise the Lord Jesus!<\/strong>
\nIn this series, we\u2019re going to explore the criteria God will use to reward His people once we reach eternity. Understanding these principles can stir up our passion for serving God\u2014just like it did for the Apostle Paul, who wrote:<\/p>\n

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”<\/em>
\n\u2014Philippians 3:14 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We\u2019ll examine a few key passages that paint a picture of how God will distribute rewards.<\/p>\n

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1. Some Will Do Little Work \u2014 But Receive the Same Reward as Those Who Did Much<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At first glance, this may seem unfair. But Jesus addressed this directly in Matthew 20:1\u201316<\/strong>, using a parable to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. Let\u2019s look at it:<\/p>\n

Matthew 20:1\u201316 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
\nHe agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
\nAbout nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
\nHe told them, \u2018You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.\u2019 So they went.
\nHe went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing.
\nAbout five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, \u2018Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?\u2019
\n\u2018Because no one has hired us,\u2019 they answered.
\nHe said to them, \u2018You also go and work in my vineyard.\u2019
\nWhen evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, \u2018Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.\u2019
\nThe workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.
\nSo when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.
\nWhen they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
\n\u2018These who were hired last worked only one hour,\u2019 they said, \u2018and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.\u2019
\nBut he answered one of them, \u2018I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn\u2019t you agree to work for a denarius?
\nTake your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.
\nDon\u2019t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?\u2019
\nSo the last will be first, and the first will be last.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Now, who are these people who will receive the same reward as those who\u2019ve labored long and hard in God\u2019s work?<\/p>\n

Take a closer look: those who came in last weren\u2019t working anywhere else beforehand. They weren\u2019t lazy\u2014they simply hadn\u2019t been given the opportunity. When the landowner asked why they had been standing around all day, they said, \u201cBecause no one has hired us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This tells us something profound: there are people who haven\u2019t yet encountered the grace of salvation. Perhaps they\u2019ve lived long lives in ignorance\u2014like someone from a completely unreached people group or another religion. Maybe they\u2019re 80 years old when they finally hear the Gospel for the first time, truly believe, and surrender their life to Christ. From that moment on, they serve God with all their heart, maybe for only one year\u2014then they pass away.<\/p>\n

Or maybe someone gets saved at 20 and only lives until 22. They serve faithfully for two years and then die.<\/p>\n

Should we be surprised if they receive the same reward as a lifetime missionary or a church leader? Not at all. When grace found them, their opportunity to serve was short\u2014but they were faithful with what they had. Had they known Christ earlier, they would have served longer. God sees the heart and the potential.<\/p>\n

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But What About You Who Know the Truth Today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve heard the message of grace today but continue to take it lightly\u2014one day walking with Christ, and the next, back in sin\u2014you are not stable. Don\u2019t expect Christ to reward you if you die in such a spiritual condition.<\/p>\n

Some of us were born into Christian homes. We know the truth. We understand that without salvation, there is no eternal life. So if someone like that refuses to live faithfully, don\u2019t expect the same reward as the pagan who just got saved and died shortly after.<\/p>\n

Jesus said clearly:<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the last will be first, and the first will be last.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Matthew 20:16 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Value the Grace You’ve Been Given<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are living in the last days. Don\u2019t waste the grace God has extended to you. If you\u2019ve been given more time, use it well. Serve Him with all your heart, because you\u2019ll be held accountable for how you used your time and opportunities.<\/p>\n

Stay faithful. Be watchful. And be encouraged\u2014God is fair, and He is good.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be blessed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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