the reward of faith
"I will make your reward very great." —Genesis 15:1
God had asked Abram to leave his homeland at age seventy-five and follow Him to an unknown land. Abram did as God asked. After he had spent "some time" in that land (Gn 15:1), God unexpectedly promised him a great reward (Gn 15:1).
The Lord often speaks of the rewards of obedient faith:
- "Do not, then, surrender your confidence; it will have great reward" (Heb 10:35).
- "Look out that you...do not lose what you have worked for; you must receive your reward in full" (2 Jn 8).
- "God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him by your service, past and present, to His holy people" (Heb 6:10).
- "Your Father Who sees in secret will repay you" (Mt 6:4).
- "Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven" (Mt 5:12).
- "He rewards those who seek Him" (Heb 11:6).
What kind of reward will we receive for our obedient faith and loving service of God? Some indications are found elsewhere in Scripture: "My heart is set on fulfilling Your laws; they are my reward forever" (Ps 119:112, RNAB). "My reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God" (Is 49:4; 62:11).
Near the end of his life, St. Thomas Aquinas had a vision and heard the Lord ask him, "What reward do you desire for all your service to Me?" Thomas responded, "None but Thyself, O Lord." With St. Thomas, may we set our hearts on this greatest Reward.
Prayer: Father, You are my Prize, my Delight, my Reward!
Promise: "Glory in His holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord." —Ps 105:3
Praise: Once she let go of the expectation of being rewarded for acts of charity, Belinda felt freer to give more than ever.
Reference: (This teaching was written by one of our editors.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002