Carrot or Stick

2John1: 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

Reward has to be earned.
The word rewarded fully also means can be rewarded partially or no rewards.

2Cor5: 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This is definately speaking to the Believers. "for things done while in the body" emphasizes that Paul is talking to the believers. Yes, Jesus will judge us. Not our Sins. Then what.....

Judgement/ Decision - Outcome resulting from an investigation.
A decision which would result in Reward / Loss.

Heb 6: 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so.

And these Eternal decisions will stand forever. The way we live as believers will determine how we will spend eternity.

Believers are Judged:
1. Our involvement in building the kingdom of God
2. How are built individual lives

God wants to reward us. The only thing we can take with us is the people and not material things.

Matt 25:14-28
The story of 3 servants and what they did with the talents they were given.
Servant A: 5 talents ------ 10 talents
Servant B: 2 talents ------ 4 talents
Servant C: 1 talent ----- 1 talent
"talents" is interpreted as gifts.
~ And both servant A and B were equally rewarded.

Luke 19:11-27
The story of the Minas whereby each Servant (10) was given 1 mina to start out with.
Servant A multipies it to 10 minas ----- 10 cities
Servant B mutiplies it to 5 minas ----- 5 cities
And minas were taken away from those who didnt multiply. And were punished.
~ In this story the servants were not rewarded equally.

2Peter 1: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
The key word is through...
What does Grace do: God empowers us to do beyond what we can do.
More Grace means: More than what you can do.
Through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord - Relational relationship. That is why we need to do QT, pray and spend time in solitude with him.
Proverbs 9: 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. "

Therefore we can multiply through the Grace of God. And there 3 ways we can multiply ourselves to build the kingdom of God and people's lives.

1. Through Giving
2Cor 8: 1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
2Cor 9: 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2. Through Partnership
Luke16: 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Phil 4: 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

"your account" is referring to the account to Jesus. Yes, you can impact more lives by partnership.

3. Through Prayer
Yes, praying for the Leaders/ Pastors / Evangelical Events / Reach outs... Just by praying, you are building His Kingdom.

4. Through Serving in Ministries
1Sam 30: 24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike." 25 David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.

Anyone who is a part of a team will get the same reward. Meaning every life that is saved is credited to everyone on the team, not just the Pastor/ Preacher. You have touched the same number of lives as the Preacher that preaches even as you serve Him in any small way.

- John bevere