Rewarding

 Last night, I had the pleasure of doing something for a friend. I wanted them to get a blessing from me, but I was the one that was rewarded... 

Many times, we look at the things we do, or others do as obligations. I am not obligated to do anything for anyone. In my mind obligation requires that I have too. It is demanded, at least for me it does. When we want to be a blessing or do things because we want to then it is not an obligation. 

I think when God tells us to love to others, to use our spiritual gifts, to read His word, to pray, or to give, He wants us not to give it out of obligation but because it is what we want to do to bless Him and others. As a result, I think that He rewards those behaviors. 

 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 1 Corinthians 3:11-13

I believe that when we do things to get something in return, or we do them out of obligation our rewards are different. When we do something like give a gift to get a gift, there is the reward for giving. If you expect something in return, when you get it, that is the reward. If you do things because you want to with a heart of unselfishness you get a reward that cannot be taken away. 

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1-4

I want to receive my reward later if I get any at all. The things I do and the people I "try" to bless mean a lot to me, I do it because I want to not because I am obligated. I want to have rewarding experiences of giving and sharing of being blessed because I had fun doing it, not because I am getting something in return. 

Life can be so rewarding if we stop look for ways to be rewarded. Learn to do things because it is right, or you want too, not because you must! 

Thanks for reading. God Bless You All! 

Oh and to my friend... Thanks!