Adapted from Church of the Highlands series Legacy - Part 3: Treasures in Heaven (2012)

GENEROUS 2017_pt2: The Reward Test

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The Lord wants us to live our lives intentionally.

But many may not understand this intent… let’s discuss…

People who are leaving a legacy are focusing on eternity – they have a different perspective on life…

[SHARE PERSONAL STORY]

Here is what the end looks like…

2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Two judgements

Heaven/Hell - The Great White Throne Judgement

Judgement for our lives (works) - God is a rewarder.

Judgement as like an Olympic judge

Romans 14:10 NIV

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Romans 14:12 NIV

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

“That’s not fair!” – Skewed minds about fairness.

Nowadays, all kids get trophy… back in the day, you actually had to win!

God is a rewarder!

Matthew 16:27 NIV

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Reward:

1) Greek = mis-thos: wages or salary

2) Greek = apo-didi-mie: to repay

[BUT] many are thinking, right now, I don’t want that!

Thank you! That is the right heart… but He still wants to do it!

It’s no different than the way you want to bless your own kids…

[STORY] Adam filling up the refrigerator…

God is a rewarder! (Heb 11:6)

The whole New Testament ends with this concept…

Revelation 22:12 NIV

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

“According to each person’s work” – many have a problem with this part of the verse.

“Works” doesn’t necessarily signify isolated acts, but rather an overall way of living - living for Christ!

[PAYOFF] - Isn’t it the heart, not the actions?

Yes, and the heart He is looking for, acts!

[STORY] – but it’s like Julie Greer, kidney donor.

[BUT STILL] Be careful, this teaching can become works based pretty fast!

“Grace” or “works” – some people think you’ve got to choose…

You are saved by grace through faith in Christ (no works), BUT faith without works is dead. (James 2:17)

God doesn’t need your works, the world does!

[IMPORTANT] - The judgement isn’t between each one of us - judging your works against your neighbor’s works - it’s between you and God.

Romans 14:4 - Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall...

[SO] how do I know if I am seeking the right thing?...

Here are some “reward tests”…

The reward test

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 NIV

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Even our “works” will be tested…

[SO] what is the test?

The test of relationship.

Revelation 2:2 NIV

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

Revelation 2:4 NIV

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Why did you do the work?

Your love for Jesus!

Why do you serve? Why do you give? Why do you tithe?

[AT CONNECT CHURCH] - We give - time, talent, treasure - because we love Christ and because so, we love people and want to fulfill His mission through this house!The test of motive.

The test of motive.

Why are you doing it?...

Matthew 6:1–4 NIV

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

[PAYOFF] Be careful not to fall into the wrong motive. (trouble with prosperity message).

2 Cor 9:11 – “so that you can be generous on every occasion”

The test of love.

Always thinking of the person on the receiving end…

1 Corinthians 3:13 NIV

their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

The test of eternity.

1) Love Jesus, 2) right motive, 3) love people, now… 4) eternity.

[PAYOFF] Compassion with Gospel

Luke 16:9–11 NIV

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Treasures in Heaven

[SO] what do we do with all of this?

I want us to be a church that leverages everything we do for an eternal purpose!

Matthew 6:19–20 NIV

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

[NOW] here’s our rally cry for living generously…

1. Realize that God owns everything!

House, car, air we breathe!

1 Chronicles 29:10–11 NIV

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

[STORY] Ever buy your kids some candy, then they won’t share??

Once Adam was given a pack of gum, he tore it in half and gave to me – I saved that pack to this day, cherished his gift!

2. Manage everything you have on His behalf!

Use me and my stuff for your purpose!

Leveraging my life! Looking for ways to serve!

Tip big, hold the elevator, give to those that ask!

Matthew 10:42 NIV

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

3. Focus your whole life towards the eternal!

“The greatest deterrent to leaving a legacy is the illusion that earth is our home.” – Chris Hodges

[PAYOFF] Realize you are just passing through!

You’ll live differently

Philippians 3:18–20 NIV

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Take Away

James 4:13–15 NIV

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Understand that this life is not your own!