The United States is the richest nation on the face of the earth. To whom much is given, much is required. Therefore, Americans are wired to cost benefit analysis and managing risk for reward. Each day we try to balance our time, money and attention with the least risk and greatest reward. We consciously see this activity through a secular lens but our spiritual lives are being more effected than our schedules and financial accounts.
Risk and reward is not limited to markets, investments or golf shots over water. Our very lives are built on risk and reward each day. All day every day we make decisions regarding future uncertainty and unexpected outcomes. We try to mitigate risk and maximize rewards but the degree of risk cannot always be accurately quantified. The hidden fact is we assume greater risks each day than most people perceive. In turn, the rewards we seek are in greater jeopardy as well.
We think our daily cost/benefit risk/reward analysis mainly revolves around our time and money. Two parent working family as opposed to one income. Working overtime or attending a Little League game. Time with your spouse or a night out with the girls or a round of golf with the guys. These questions and analyses appear simple and skin deep but they are much more deeply personal with eternal consequences. The rewards of personal desires have associated risks higher than MANY recognize. Ask Target…Bud Light…North Face…the Dodgers. Ask God.
The Creator is the Originator of risk, reward, costs and benefits. Psalm 58:10 says the righteous are rewarded and God judges the earth. Christ followers have been told the true cost of discipleship is everything but the benefit is eternal life in heaven. Not many sermons address the risk for believers when their faith is half-hearted, or as Jesus calls it in the last book of the Bible, lukewarm. The reward for just going along and not living your faith out loud is, well, read Revelation 3:16.
Colossians 3:23 is an everyday reminder on the risks of managing your time and activities to achieve maximum reward. ‘WHATEVER you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you KNOW that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.’ The takeaway is…whatever you do at work and play, God is watching and rewarding us accordingly. He judges the heart not necessarily the results.
These days, corporate America has been busted focusing on potential rewards while ignoring real risks. Many corporations have been reminded of these risks with declining sales and lower stock prices. But what about our political leaders? Have our politicians considered the increased risks for all Americans when they fly a flag other than the American flag? I suggest flying one over an embassy in the Middle East for a quick reminder.
Do Christ followers understand the risks when they sit silently while their elected officials risk our nation by promoting an agenda that makes us an enemy of God? Isaiah 40:10 says God is going to pay back his enemies and reward those who have loved him. Do YOU show love with silence or words and actions? God is watching and listening to HIS people. The apostle John spoke directly to Christians risk and reward when he said…’Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.’ 2 John 1:8.
Christ followers need a wake up call. Yes, it’s all about a personal relationship but that relationship is at risk when we allow evil to spread by celebrating a rainbow as anything other than a promise from God? Do we confirm or deny our God by silence and inaction? Jesus said we must acknowledge Him before others or He won’t acknowledge us before the Father. More explicitly…'”But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.”‘
In the same message, Christ reminded the world it’s not about accepting and going along when we accept sin and the unholy. Just the opposite. The risk of celebrating that which God says is wrong brings no reward. ‘”Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword..the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”‘Matthew 10:34-37. There is more risk and less reward in accepting that which God calls ‘ungodly and sinful…unholy and irreverent.’
About now many of us are redirecting to RESULTS and the cost/benefit of silence and inaction. Some choose to focus on the love we have and show for others. This argument allows us to be present in the lives of people and DO good things. Some think the good we do by tolerating evil allows us to keep friendships and not alienate relationships. This perceived benefit is an incorrect analysis. Jesus spoke to this directly. ‘”On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them. ‘I never knew you. Depart from me you evildoers!'” Matthew 7:22-23. Are you at risk?
The point I want to make is simple. We are living in a place and time where risk and reward in the Christian life involves MORE prayer and discernment than what you may be exercising. The cost of ignoring the risk while turning your head to what our political and religious leaders are doing is GREAT. The benefit of remaining silent may not even exist if your actions allow evil to increase.
Stay in the Word so you KNOW and ARE confident in God’s teaching and ways. ‘…do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.’
Endure and persevere. The benefit and reward of following Christ is eternal. The cost and risk of not knowing and following Him is damning.