I got curious with the Academy Awards coming up in February about the number of awards shows that have to do with the film industry. It seems like I see one every week. I did some research and found a 2019-2020 calendar that started in October and ended with the Oscars in February. In those five months, there are 63 award shows. Not all of these award shows are broadcast, of course, but still—63?
How many awards do these Hollywood types need? I’m certain they don’t need 63 in the span of five months. I don’t know of any industry that is as self-congratulatory as the film industry. From the likes of some of the films produced lately I’m wondering how they can congratulate themselves at all.
Awards, rewards, I suppose are great motivators. Credit card companies, banks, restaurants, retailers, airlines all use rewards as motivation to use their products.
The Bible is also not without its promise of rewards either. In the Old Testament, 1 Samuel 26:23 promises that “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness,” and in the New Testament we read also of rewards in Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
I am not unaware that there are rewards for those who serve the LORD well. I look forward to seeing those crowns given out to the faithful ones. But rewards, crowns, are not what should persuade us to serve … there is a much deeper motivation to live not for ourselves but for the One who made us alive in Him. That motivation is love.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all … that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” [2 Cor 5:14-15]
