The Reward of Service: A Divine Partnership.

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” — Revelation 22:12 (NKJV)

This verse is loaded with divine implications. A promise, a warning, a hope. But let’s not rush. Let’s unpack it, one revelation at a time.

The Ignorance That Breeds Insolence

Many of us live our lives, even our Christian lives, without truly knowing the One we claim to serve. That’s why we act unruly in church but follow every protocol at work. We submit to human bosses because we see the paycheck, but we take God’s house casually because we don’t see immediate wages.

But here’s the truth: the paycheck that sustains your life, your breath, your existence, comes from God. The job you treat with reverence exists because of the life He sustains. You could try running your own oxygen supply for two minutes and realize how much you’ve been getting paid—without even asking for it.

Scripture makes it clear:

“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” — Daniel 11:32 (NKJV)

Knowledge leads to strength. Strength leads to exploits. But first, you must know Him.

God Doesn’t Hire Employees—He Calls Partners

God is not a taskmaster. He doesn’t do employees; He does partnerships. That’s why He calls us friends, co-laborers, joint heirs. Yet, even partners get paid.

“Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’ — Isaiah 62:11 (NKJV)

This is God’s system:

He calls you.

He empowers you.

He works through you.

He takes the glory.

You get the reward.

The weight of this truth is staggering. God doesn’t just expect you to serve Him; He enables you to serve Him. And then, He rewards you for doing what He empowered you to do in the first place.

“Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NKJV)

He calls. He does it. And yet, He rewards you.

Let that sink in.

Service: The Mark of True Sons

Service in the Kingdom is not optional. It is the natural response of a heart that knows God. From Genesis to Revelation, we see that those who truly love God serve Him.

Jesus Himself was the greatest example of this. He didn’t come as a ruler demanding allegiance—He came as a Servant.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 (NKJV)

If the Lord of all creation chose service as His posture, what excuse do we have?

Paul, in his letters, repeatedly referred to himself as a bondservant of Christ (Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10). This wasn’t forced labor—this was a willing submission, a joy-filled partnership in the work of God.

Yet, many of us struggle with inconsistency in our service. We show up at work on time, but we’re careless with our commitments to God. Why? Because we do not yet recognize that service to God is of far greater importance.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Service in the Kingdom is not a burden; it is a privilege. And it never goes unrewarded.

Rewards: God’s Faithfulness in Action

God is a rewarder. This is not a theory; it is His nature.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

From the Old Testament to the New, we see that God never overlooks faithfulness. He may not reward immediately, but He always rewards surely.

Consider the case of Zacharias and Elizabeth. They had prayed for a child for years but had reached an age where childbearing seemed impossible. Yet, they didn’t stop serving.

And one day, in the course of normal service, God sent His angel.

“Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son.” — Luke 1:13 (NKJV)

This is a pattern in scripture: Service positions you for unexpected rewards.

Joseph served in Potiphar’s house, then in prison, and was rewarded with rulership over Egypt.

Ruth served Naomi, and her reward was Boaz—a place in the lineage of Christ.

Daniel served in Babylon, and his reward was divine wisdom, favor, and promotion.

God’s system is unchanging. He sees. He records. And He rewards.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” — Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit: The Enabler of True Service

But here’s where many believers struggle. How can we serve consistently? How can we keep at it even when no one sees, no one claps, no one appreciates?

The answer? The Holy Spirit.

God never calls without equipping. He doesn’t demand service without supplying the grace to do it.

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” — 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit is the one who works through us. He gives the wisdom, the strength, the endurance. He turns labor into joy.

When service flows from a deep, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, it is no longer a struggle. It becomes a delight.

This is why Jesus told His disciples not to do anything until they had received the Holy Spirit.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

Service without the Holy Spirit is hard labor. But service empowered by the Holy Spirit is effortless, fruitful, and deeply satisfying.

Final Thoughts: Will You Be Found Serving?

Jesus is coming quickly. And His reward is with Him.

The question is, will He find you serving?

Will you be like Zacharias, faithful in service even when it seems unnoticed?

Will you be like Paul, pouring out your life with the confidence that God is the ultimate rewarder?

Or will you be like the slothful servant, burying your talent because you see God as a hard master? (Matthew 25:24-30)

We have a choice. To serve. To stay faithful. To yield to the Holy Spirit.

And when He comes, His reward will be sure.

Are you ready?