by Jesus said, “he that reapeth receiveth wages” (John 4:35-39). These words speak of reaping the souls of men out of the harvest field through soulwinning. Paul calls these “wages” “rewards” as he implores us to reap by faithfully preaching the Gospel. Paul said, “woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me” (1 Cor. 9:16-17). Here, though preaching the Gospel is our mandate and duty (Mark 16:15; Luke 17:10), Paul tells us our rewards are a matter of our heart’s desire. Willing or not, we have been “put in trust with the gospel” to “speak” it, “not as pleasing men, but God” (1 Thess. 2:4).
The Bible speaks of many rewards, both temporal and eternal, for being faithful stewards of the Gospel. Here are a few wages and rewards paid out to the faithful soulwinner:
- Wisdom (Prov. 11:30)
- Rejoicing (Psa. 126:5-6; John 4:36)
- Shine as the stars forever (Dan. 12:3)
- Crown (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19; I Cor. 9:25)
- Rewarded 100-fold, made first from the last (Mark 10:28-30)
- Physically blessed to continue serving (Ex. 23:25; Matt. 6:25-33)
- Reign with Christ (Luke 10:9-27)
- Honor of God (John 12:24-26)
- Hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23)
Welfare, benefit, lazy Christians receive no earned wages or rewards, and this is to the detriment of many receiving their wages of eternal death. The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) and that this “death” is an eternal wage in “the lake of fire” which is called “the second death” (Rev. 20:14-15; 21:8). Though we all deserve this eternal wage for our work in sin, Romans 6:23 goes on to tell us, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is the message soulwinners are to be preaching, and are rewarded for it if they do so with a willing heart. For the ones hearing this message, and responding to it, their wages and rewards is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
