Book 4 of Musings Reaping Sparingly

Some believers are careless with the things of Christ. It is certain they will reap sparingly.

The promises to the victorious saint are fabulous beyond belief. They are greater treasures than those possessed by the mightiest of the earthly monarchs of history.

In the Book of Revelation we find those who overcome, that is, who live victoriously over sin, will inherit all things. They will inherit the new world of righteousness as well as the nations that are part of the new heaven and earth reign of God and the Lamb.

Crowns, power, life, everlasting righteousness, coheirship with the Lord Jesus Christ-everything you can imagine is promised to the victorious saints.

We should note carefully that the rewards are to be given to the overcomers, to those who live in victory over sin. It seems to me that most believers in the United States do not even believe it is possible to live in victory over sin. Yet they announce that they shall "rule and reign with Christ."

With such rewards held out before us you would think the American believer would be characterized by earnest, cross-carrying discipleship. This is not always the case. I have heard there are churches where the people wear earphones while the pastor is preaching so they can keep informed of the progress of a football or baseball game.

Generally speaking, believers in America take their religion seriously but not too seriously. They want to limit the time the pastor preaches so they can get home and go about their business.

Americans have numerous opportunities for work and play, and so it is a temptation to devote a minimum of time and energy to prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with the saints.

Now, here is the point of this brief article. If we sow sparingly we are going to reap sparingly. I know there are denominations that teach since we are saved by grace and not by our works we all shall receive the same reward. This is not scriptural. Each individual is going to receive in the Day of Resurrection that which his or her work merits.

Being a pastor I sometimes am grieved when I notice that people are wasting their time on activities that are not going to profit them in the Kingdom of God. We all know the importance of working hard that we may support our families. I am not speaking of this. I am referring to time spent in ways that are not necessarily sinful but neither are they of profit in the Kingdom of God.

I am grieved because I know some are sowing sparingly and they are going to reap sparingly.

There are all sorts of ranks and roles in the Kingdom of God. These range all the way from the high thrones that govern the universe all the way down to citizenship in the new Jerusalem.

The Lord Jesus Christ has prayed to His Father that He might inherit the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth. We are coheirs with Him. The inheritance is people.

If we have kept our Christian involvement to the minimum, then, when we are appointed our place in the Kingdom, we will receive a minimum inheritance.

How are we going to feel when we see our fellow believers entering with Christ into the splendor of God's creation, while we ourselves are on the outskirts viewing from afar the King rewarding those who have given their lives in His service?

Our remorse will be bitter indeed, when we realize splendor could have been ours. Instead we wasted our days playing with the toys of the world.

You know, God has established the world in just such a way that those who truly love God will have an opportunity to demonstrate that love, and those who just are not that interested can express their attitude with a casual response to the promises of God.

It grieves me when I see people wasting their time (and God's time) when so much is being offered to them.

He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. (Rev 21:7