Sure Reward!
(Prov 11:18 NIV) The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
In this verse Solomon contrasts the deceptive wages of the wicked with the sure reward of the righteous. Solomon is teaching us about security, or the lack thereof. Both men in the text are workers. Both put in their hours, but the reward (or payment) of the righteous is sure, whereas the payment of the wicked is deceptive. It’s deceptive because it may look like they are getting ahead, in the short term, but in the long term they realize that a great portion of their labor has been in vain. They built a house, but their house was built on sand.
The Psalmist said, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psalm 127:1). If you don’t get the Lord is not involved in your work (or labor), you will find that a great portion of that labor will be in vain. You will work hard, toil, and sweat, but since you are working under your own ability alone, you can only get but so far. Your work is not protected by God and with a quick change in environment your house can come tumbling down.
Jesus taught: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Notice that both men worked hard to build their houses. Both men erected a frame. Both men put on a roof. Both men followed the blueprints. Both men put in the labor. But when the environment changed, only the man who labored WITH GOD, the one who got God involved in what he was doing, was the one who enjoyed his house for the long haul.
His house was able to withstand the rain, wind and floods, because God was it’s foundation. However, all the other person could do was stand by as the work of his hands fell apart. He never got God involved in what he was doing and therefore, he was left unprotected. He labored, but his labor was in vain.
In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth he taught them many things. He was up front with them and explained that they would have to face challenges as believers, but that they could do so with the assurance that God would not allow them to be pushed past their limit (10:13). In his closing remarks Paul said, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (15:58).
So what does this mean? It means that both the wicked and the righteous will face challenges, but the righteous can do so believing that our labor will not be in vain. When we get God involved in what we are doing we will see to it that our reward will stand the test of time. Why? Because our house is built upon the rock and our labor is rooted in God’s love. When God is involved in what we are doing, the work of our hands will withstand the rain, wind and floods. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain!
Father, I get You involved in the work of my hands. I welcome You to be involved in all that I do. I work diligently, but I do not work alone. You work with me and therefore, You bless the work of my hands. I build my house upon the rock. The work of my hands is rooted upon a sure foundation and it will withstand the rain, wind and floods! Come what may, it will continue to stand! Having done all, I will stand even the more! I stand firm, letting nothing move me, knowing that my labor is NOT in vain! I sow righteousness and I reap a sure reward! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
(Prov 11:18 NIV) The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
In this verse Solomon contrasts the deceptive wages of the wicked with the sure reward of the righteous. Solomon is teaching us about security, or the lack thereof. Both men in the text are workers. Both put in their hours, but the reward (or payment) of the righteous is sure, whereas the payment of the wicked is deceptive. It’s deceptive because it may look like they are getting ahead, in the short term, but in the long term they realize that a great portion of their labor has been in vain. They built a house, but their house was built on sand.
The Psalmist said, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psalm 127:1). If you don’t get the Lord is not involved in your work (or labor), you will find that a great portion of that labor will be in vain. You will work hard, toil, and sweat, but since you are working under your own ability alone, you can only get but so far. Your work is not protected by God and with a quick change in environment your house can come tumbling down.
Jesus taught: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Notice that both men worked hard to build their houses. Both men erected a frame. Both men put on a roof. Both men followed the blueprints. Both men put in the labor. But when the environment changed, only the man who labored WITH GOD, the one who got God involved in what he was doing, was the one who enjoyed his house for the long haul.
His house was able to withstand the rain, wind and floods, because God was it’s foundation. However, all the other person could do was stand by as the work of his hands fell apart. He never got God involved in what he was doing and therefore, he was left unprotected. He labored, but his labor was in vain.
In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth he taught them many things. He was up front with them and explained that they would have to face challenges as believers, but that they could do so with the assurance that God would not allow them to be pushed past their limit (10:13). In his closing remarks Paul said, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (15:58).
So what does this mean? It means that both the wicked and the righteous will face challenges, but the righteous can do so believing that our labor will not be in vain. When we get God involved in what we are doing we will see to it that our reward will stand the test of time. Why? Because our house is built upon the rock and our labor is rooted in God’s love. When God is involved in what we are doing, the work of our hands will withstand the rain, wind and floods. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain!
Father, I get You involved in the work of my hands. I welcome You to be involved in all that I do. I work diligently, but I do not work alone. You work with me and therefore, You bless the work of my hands. I build my house upon the rock. The work of my hands is rooted upon a sure foundation and it will withstand the rain, wind and floods! Come what may, it will continue to stand! Having done all, I will stand even the more! I stand firm, letting nothing move me, knowing that my labor is NOT in vain! I sow righteousness and I reap a sure reward! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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