Our Exceedingly Great Reward

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

Psalm 127:3

Rewarding means to give in return, and this occurs according to the generosity of the one offering the reward.  I have seen posters offering monetary rewards to anyone who finds a lost pet and notifies the owner.  A reward in such circumstances is compensation given to the deserving, even as wages might be given to an employee.  But there is a notable difference with God's rewards, for they are given all of God's grace to the underserving out of His goodness.  We might think on the basis of the forgoing verse that those with many children have received a greater reward from God based on their merit, yet it is by God's merit, wisdom and goodness every living soul enters this world.

While I was reading the book of Numbers, I was blessed to read the section at the end of Numbers 18.  To those under the Law of Moses, God commanded people bring a tithe of the best of their increase and dedicated things to the priests and Levites, and this was their portion.  They too were to present a tithe to God, a heave offering of all they received.  Numbers 18:30-32 says, "Therefore you shall say to them: 'When you have lifted up the best of it, then the rest shall be accounted to the Levites as the produce of the threshing floor and as the produce of the winepress. ³¹ You may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward for your work in the tabernacle of meeting. ³² And you shall bear no sin because of it, when you have lifted up the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy gifts of the children of Israel, lest you die."  Giving God the first and best sanctified the remaining grain, wine and oil for consumption by the families of the Levites.  The tithe of the people resulted in food for the Levites and their families that could be eaten in every place without being a sin.  This food was their reward they could freely share with others.

The priests and Levites did not enter into the service of the LORD in the tabernacle because it provided a stable or steady career:  it was a calling by God as children of Levi.  God had said to Abraham their father in Genesis 15:1:  "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."  When God was given His rightful due (a tenth) by the priests and Levites, He graciously gave them a reward in their service to Him. This was not because God owed them anything, for their lives, roles and service was all of His bountiful grace.  Those who were called, anointed and instructed by God were also rewarded generously so their needs were met from His own portion that became theirs.  They had done nothing worthy of receiving gifts from God's hand, but could gladly receive them as a reward from God who gives all things.

This bears a resemblance to compensation in pastoral or paid ministry, for it is a calling by God--not a career.  It is God who anoints and ordains men rather than people being appointed by men.  Our wages are not a right we ought to claim but should be seen as a gift and reward we can receive according to His grace.  Whether our rewards from God be children, food or money, these are all provided us out of God's grace and generosity.  We ought to be thankful to God and those He has prompted to give, and God loves the cheerful giver.  Praise the LORD He is our reward who gives righteousness, the opportunity for fellowship, the resources to give, and fellowship He provides daily that is greater than gold:  food from His word, comfort in His presence, wisdom for living, peace that passes understanding, and all necessities we enjoy by His grace.  As new creations in Christ, we are given the reward to live worthy of being God's reward by His grace:  for of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.  Amen!