Work That God Rewards 2 Chr 15:1-18 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Azariah said to Asa, “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded,” [2 Chronicles 15:7]. And after Asa heard these words he proceeded to do work that God rewarded.  See 2 Chronicles 15:8-18.  If you will do what Azariah said, the way that Asa did, your work shall be rewarded.  Here’s the work you can do that God rewards: 

Seek the Lord – v.2, 12-13 – that’s the first thing Azariah told Asa to do. You must seek the Lord in everything you do. You seek him daily in the Bible and through Biblical counsel. This is rewardable work. See Hebrews 11:5-6.  God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Be strong and let not your hands be weak in seeking the Lord. 

Pray – v.8 – Asa, “renewed the altar of the Lord.”  Israel turned to God to worship him and pray.  Prayer is work. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” [Jas 5:16].  Pastor Harley Keck, at 77 years of age, said, “I find that I get a lot more done through prayer than action.” Prayer is rewardable work. See Matthew 6:6.  Pray in secret and the Lord will reward you openly.

Witness – v.9 – “he gathered… they fell to him… they saw… the Lord… was with him.“ You have a testimony of a changed life. Use your testimony with the word of God to witness.  In witnessing, you plant and water.  See 1 Corinthians 3:6-8.  We are not the “soul winners;“ God is.  Sometimes people think they are nothing because they haven’t “won” a soul to Christ.  But the truth is that you and I are nothing because we are nothing, according to Paul.  Be content to plant and water.  That takes the pressure off of you.  And, according to Paul, God rewards those who plant and water.  Let not your hands be weak.

Give – v.10-11, 18 – they offered the spoil… he brought the silver and gold.  If you are already giving bountifully, we encourage you to continue. If you are giving but you know you can give more, we encourage you to do more.  If you’re not giving, we encourage you to start. Giving is rewardable work.  See Matthew 6:3-4.  Let not your hands be weak in giving.

Bear the reproach of Christ – v.16 – Asa removed his mother from being queen because she had made an idol in a grove.  When you are strong for the Lord (v.7) and your hands are not weak, you are going to collide with the world.  God and the world are opposed to each other.  And when you take a stand for God, you are going to bear reproach for it.  God rewards those who bear reproach for Christ. See Hebrews 10:33-35; 11:24-26.  Be strong.

Do this work with all your heart – v. 12-15 – when Israel made the covenant to serve the Lord, they made that covenant with all their heart and with all their soul and with their whole desire. They were so serious, they agreed to kill anybody who didn’t go along with them.  When you work for the Lord, put your heart into it.  According to Colossians 3:23-24, whatsoever you do heartily as to the Lord he rewards. 

Conclusion: your work shall be rewarded when you seek the Lord, pray, plant and water, give, bear reproach for Christ, and do your work heartily as to Lord.  For more on this subject see Asa’s Rewardable Work.