In the field of Psychology, behavioural scientists talk of operant conditioning. It is also known as instrumental conditioning. Scientists believe that behaviours that are rewarded (reinforced) are likely to be repeated, while those that are punished are likely to occur less frequently. Well, scientists are not the only ones who talk about reward. It is a recurring subject in the Bible. In our text, God told Abram that He was his exceedingly great reward. Reward does two things. First, it motivates towards greater performance. Second, on the path of God it demonstrates faithfulness.

When we talk of reward, we should appreciate its dual nature. There is the earthly dimension of reward meant for here and now; and there is the incorruptible reward reserved for us in heaven.

At some point the children of Israel had a wrong image of God, and He protested to them accordingly. “Your words have been harsh against Me,” Says the Lord, Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord of hosts?’’ (Malachi 3:13-14 NKJV). It is harsh in the ears of God when we speak or even think that what we do for His sake has no reward. In the context of New Testament writing, this will amount to God being called unrighteous. “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10, NKJV). When we talk of reward, we should appreciate its dual nature. There is the earthly dimension of reward meant for here and now; and there is the incorruptible reward reserved for us in heaven. It is for this reason that the Bible says godliness is profitable for the present world and the one which is coming.