“Our rewards in heaven are a result of God’s crowning His own gifts.” – Saint Augustine

It’s always surprising to me the variety of different places that God can spark inspiration for another subject of a devotion.

One of the most unthinkable places that I have received such insight was in a Circle K. I filled up my Polar Pop (because one cannot leave Circle K without filling up a giant cup of refreshing soda), grabbed a candy bar, and made my way up to check out. I laid my items on the counter and handed my rewards card over to the nice lady behind the counter.

It was in this moment, I overheard the conversation of another employee and the gentlemen who was checking out in the lane next to me.

“How are you today, sir? Oh, I see there in your wallet you have our rewards card. If you’ll let me scan that you can get rewards on your purchase today!” said the employee.

“No,” was the blunt response from the gentlemen as he quickly slid his card, punched in his PIN, snatched his receipt, and walked out.

Now, you might be thinking, “How in the world did this interaction inspire you to write a devotion?”

Here’s how:

The man had the means and the opportunity to receive his reward. All he had to do was hand over his card. Yet he refused to do so.

The same can be said for us. We have been given the opportunity to receive a reward in heaven. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ has paved the way for us to receive that reward. Our reward is freely given. It is a gift. All we have to do is accept it.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8).

It is by the grace of God that we can be saved. It is through our faith in Jesus Christ; by believing that He is our Savior and by accepting Him into our lives, that we can be saved.

That is your reward: eternal life.

But the question is:

Will you accept it?

Parents: Ask your children about a time when they received a reward. Ask them why they accepted it. Tell them that God is extending a reward to them and they have the choice of whether to accept it or not.