This chapter continues the wise sayings of Solomon, with a theme contrasting the rewards of the righteous and the wicked.
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath. If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!” (v3, 10, 18, 21, 23, 31)
There seem to be two main categories of reward – those within this lifetime, and those which are eternal. The wicked (those who choose a life of sin) will only receive some temporary rewards in this life. The righteous (those who are covered by the blood of Jesus) will also receive some rewards in this life, but much greater rewards in eternity.
Have you ever heard of “karma” – the belief that good things happen to good people, and bad things to bad people, based on our actions? Well, the Bible teaches “karma” isn’t true. ‘Bad things’ still happen to ‘good people’ and ‘good things’ still happen to ‘bad people’ within this broken, sinful world. In eternity, the ‘rule of karma’ still isn’t true, because “[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy… he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ” (Tit 3:5-6 abr). Unlike “karma”, which is a system of reward based on good works, God’s rewards are based on Jesus’ imputed righteousness which covers our sin.
Since we’re receiving rewards based on the righteousness of Jesus, rather than our own good works, does that mean good works are pointless? Of course not. Those works help point more people toward Jesus and build the Kingdom of God here on earth. We need both redemption and good works to receive a full reward, and more importantly to help others receive their full reward as well. By the way, the ultimate reward is being blessed by the full presence of God and Jesus for all eternity – can you think of anything better than that?
Father God, our Merciful and Gracious Lord, we praise Your holy name. You have blessed us with the redeeming blood of Jesus, and given us many opportunities to obey You. Please continue to guide us through Your Spirit, performing many good works through us, so we may encourage others to seek a full eternal reward in heaven. In the name of Jesus, our redeemer and eternal reward we praise, honor and glorify You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training