Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Some people talk about “rewards” from God being these mysterious heavenly blessings—ie: mansions, jewels, authority, etc—and there’s probably something to that, but it’s not enough.
I say it’s not enough, because it takes us out of the here and now and puts us in some future that our minds weren’t made to understand. And, let’s face it, the people who try and live there are weird. They think they are godly, but they are more out-of-touch. They think they are focused on eternal things instead of lesser human things, but they are becoming disconnected from humanity—the very people they are called serve.
Paul: “Serve your human authorities as if you’re serving God.” That doesn’t mean you tell your boss, “I’ll do this because I’m serving God, not you.” That’s called weird and disrespectful. Instead, be their favorite employee by crushing your assignments and winning with the other people on the team.
Jesus said that they way you love God (with all your heart, soul, mind, strength) is by loving others! Serving people in meaningful ways. Like attending to the hurting guy on the side of the road (Good Samaritan). And, according to Paul, by winning at work. When you do that, you’re not only earning “treasures in heaven,” but you’re working toward the ultimate reward on earth: FULFILLMENT. The very thing so many rich and famous people are still struggling to find.
But it can be yours as you learn to serve God by serving others.