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Some companies give sizeable Christmas bonuses to their employees. They do it to reward people for faithful service during the year. One company gave such a huge bonus that it was flooded with applications. Just as companies reward workers, God rewards his children—not with salvation, because that is a gift, but for their faithful service. When He judges at the last day, Christmas bonuses will seem like nothing. That was why Paul urged Timothy to be faithful in his service for Christ. In 2 Timothy Ch 4, he urged him to preach the word, whether the times were favorable or not, to correct, rebuke, and encourage people with good teaching. Paul was anticipating the day when Christ would reward us for our faithful service. After urging Timothy to be faithful, Paul reminded him of his own faithful work for Christ. He said, “As or me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now, the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.” He said the prize is not just for me, but also for all who eagerly look forward to his return. Since God is perfectly fair in the way He rewards, Paul expected a great prize; so can we if we are faithful to Him.
