Devotional
Give
her
the
reward
she
has
earned,
and
let
her
works
bring
her
praise
at
the
city
gate.
Proverbs
31:31
Since
I
first
began
teaching,
I
have
used
rewards
on a
consistent
basis.
I
have
found
that
the
students
will
do
almost
anything
if
there
is a
reward
in
sight.
However,
I
have
heard
some
teachers
say
that
6th
graders
will
not
work
for
rewards,
that
they
are
too
old.
To
me
that
is
just
ridiculous.
Don't
we
still
work
for
rewards
as
adults?
It
is
nice
to
get
a
pat
on
the
back,
a
little
praise
here
and
there,
or
how
about
a
raise!
I
don't
think
rewards
ever
lose
their
appeal.
If
so,
the
Bible
wouldn't
talk
about
the
rewards
available
to
us.
"But
as
for
you,
be
strong
and
do
not
give
up,
for
your
work
will
be
rewarded."
2
Chronicles
15:7
As
you
can
also
see
from
the
scripture,
rewards
are
not
gifts,
they
are
earned.
To
earn
things,
we
have
to
work
for
them.
Please
don't
confuse
this
with
salvation
which
is a
free
gift.
Many
times
the
work
we
are
called
to
do
is
laborious,
tiring,
and
at
times
it
can
be
hard
to
see
results.
If
the
Lord
has
called
us
to
these
tasks,
we
must
continue
to
work
diligently
anyway.
Remember,
a
lot
of
times
rewards
don't
come
easily.
If
we
can
keep
the
goal
or
reward
in
sight,
it
will
be
easier
to
continue
with
His
work.
When
we
think
about
rewards
in
the
workplace,
most
of
the
time
they
are
connected
with
money
-
bonuses,
raises,
etc.
These
are
rewards
of
our
hard
work
and
time
invested.
Heavenly
rewards
are
even
sweeter
than
the
monetary
ones.
When
you
invest
time
into
a
person,
you
may
be
able
to
earn
their
trust.
That
is
priceless!
Breaking
down
walls,
making
a
difference
in
lives,
leading
people
to
accept
salvation,
and
seeing
those
you've
invested
in
living
right
are
also
rewards
that
you
just
can't
put
a
price
on.
The
second
part
of
Proverbs
31:31
talks
about
"Praise
at
the
city
gates."
For
years
I
have
just
seen
this
as
public
recognition.
On
an
earthly
basis,
I
guess
that
is
true.
However,
back
in
January,
a
friend
of
mine,
Traci
passed
away
suddenly.
She
truly
was
one
of
the
Godliest
women
I
have
ever
known.
As I
read
this
scripture
a
few
days
after
her
death,
a
new
perspective
came
to
me.
This
was
more
than
public
recognition
on
earth,
she
was
hearing,
"Well
done
My
good
and
faithful
servant"
at
the
City
Gates
of
Heaven!
This
really
helped
me
deal
with
her
death.
Knowing
that
her
struggles
here
on
earth
were
over
and
that
she
was
now
receiving
Heavenly
rewards
was
comforting.
When
it
appears
that
no
one
notices
what
you
do
or
when
you
start
to
feel
discouraged,
remember
that
your
reward
will
be
waiting
in
Heaven.
"For
our
light
and
momentary
troubles
are
achieving
for
us
an
eternal
glory
that
far
outweighs
them
all.
So
we
fix
our
eyes
not
on
what
is
seen,
but
on
what
is
unseen.
For
what
is
seen
is
temporary,
but
what
is
unseen
is
eternal."
2
Corinthians
4:17-
18
I
challenge
you
to
take
a
look
at
all
the
rewards
mentioned
throughout
the
Bible.
Look
at
the
ones
you
receive
daily,
and
look
forward
to
the
ones
yet
to
come.
They
will
help
motivate
you
as
you
make
a
difference
in
this
world.
As
far
as
my
classroom
is
concerned,
I
will
continue
to
use
rewards.
Whatever
works!
