The Soulwinner’s Reward
John 4 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Why should you win souls? Well, because people are going to hell; because Jesus said to; because it pleases God… But what does it do for you? Yes, there is a reward for pleasing God. There is a return for what you invest in the Kingdom of God.
Fulfillment
Psalms 126 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
As you faithfully discharge the work of the Lord, you receive the rewards of eternal life – not only for yourself, but for those you reach with the gospel.
When you bear the precious seed of the gospel, it will grow and you will gather the results.
Luke 8:11 … The seed is the word of God.
His word will not return void but will accomplish his purposes. You just have to trust God with the results.
But you will receive a reward – chiefly eternal life. As you share life with others, life flows through you and enriches you. The gospel seems sweeter, fresher when you share it with others. (When water goes through the pipe, the pipe gets wet, too.)
Approval
Matthew 25 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
When you lead a soul to salvation, you do the Kingdom of God a service, you partner with God in bringing souls to the Kingdom, and you win the approval of God.
All of us want to hear those words, "Well done…" when we stand before God.
When we read of the prodigal son, we see the joy of the father when his son is returned to him. This is a picture of God. How much would the father have rewarded the one who may have led this son back home?
Joy
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Psalms 126 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Luke 15 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Likewise, the woman who lost the coin rejoiced when she found it. How much more rejoicing should there be over a lost sinner being found?
There is joy in heaven when one soul comes in. When you win a soul, you do heaven good.
Spiritual nourishment
In John chapter 4, Jesus had just reveal himself to the Samaritan woman. When the disciples came back and offered him food, he said he didn’t need it. Then he said:
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
His meaning, of course, was that spiritual meat is more important than physical – and more satisfying. It nourishes the soul. That meat is to do God’s will. And he shared it in direct connection with soul winning.
Sharing the gospel is spiritually nourishing. It feeds your spirit and makes you grow stronger.
A crown of righteousness
2 Timothy 4 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Our primary motivation should not be the reward – the crown – but the reward will be there. What a joy – what an honor – when a crown is placed on our heads in heaven.
There are benefits for working for God. Sharing the gospel is good for others, and it’s good for you.