“He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’ (Matthew 20:13-15 The Message)
Reward
Our eyes are too small. One Christmas Eve, I stared under the Christmas Tree with self-pity. My parents, my sister, and my brother all had numerous wrapped boxes nestled under the fake boughs. But I only had one small, by which I mean tiny, present.
I pouted. I sulked. I wished that I believed in Santa Claus so I could write him a nasty note.
But when the time came to open the present, inside that tiny package was a guitar pick. As I looked in confusion at my parents, they pointed to the hallway door. When I looked, there was an electric guitar, amplifier, music stand, and a collection of guitar books.
I was measuring the gifts that year by the wrong standard.
We easily do this with our eternal reward, too. We measure God’s blessings by checkbook balances, neato cars, attractive faces and clothes, and some sort of subjective gauge of today’s happiness.
But… we… have… Christ… now… and… forever… in… heaven.
Better than an electric guitar, better than a yacht, better than popularity, better than cold cash, better than career success, better than long life, better than family, better than health, better than anything.
That’s the reward we receive for being known by and loved by Christ… for knowing and loving Him.
Our rewards are subjective… but in Christ the reward is Him.