Click here to return to Blog Post Intro
Incentives have always been part of the world of business. The Bible recognizes the importance of motivation and rewards and has a surprising amount to say about the subject. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Jesus encouraged us to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21 & 23).
Hall of Faith
In Hebrews 11, the author highlights the lives and contributions of the great men and women of faith of the Old Testament and the rewards God gave because of their faith in Him. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 says, God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Upon closer examination, these men and women never fully realized their reward during their lifetime. Meanwhile, some even endured hardship in anticipation of the promised reward (Hebrews 11:32-40). “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (v. 13). Abraham, Noah, Enoch, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses all lived a life of faith in spite of the fact that their reward was “in the distance.”
The Biggest Reward
Few of us can afford to work without monetary compensation. But most of us would quickly become bored with our work if there were no rewards beyond the money. In speaking with Solomon (as recorded in 1 Kings 9:4-5), God illustrated this vital principle for leaders, “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’”
God’s promise to Solomon included the larger perspective. God demonstrated to Solomon that his work was contributing to God’s eternal plan. Solomon’s reward transcended what he found in his pay envelope.
Matching Rewards to Team Members
It’s important to provide a variety of rewards because people are motivated in different ways. In “Organizational Rewards and Employee Motivation,” Heneman, Schwab, Fossum, and Dyer articulate three kinds of rewards that people find attractive:
- Work itself;
- Human Resources policies and practices that include such things as fair pay, flexible work scheduling, and job security; and
- Social environment.
These three kinds of rewards motivate people in the workplace and a variety of settings. The leader’s job is to find out which rewards best incent each individual.
Like Jesus, Out of This World Leaders will provide the kind of customized rewards that both encourage and motivate their followers, as they shoot for the stars!