I thought heaven was reward enough, but there’s even more
You Are God’s Field
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The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work. We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9 (NET)
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Have you ever worked on a project with a young kid helping you?
How much help were they, actually?
If you’re lucky they helped a little bit, but also added tons of time to the project.
I sometimes imagine that’s what it’s like when I help God in His work.
Now maybe that should make me despair a bit, but it doesn’t. In fact, it’s quite amazing to me. I love that God is so patient with us -- both in dealing with our sin and also partnering with us in His work.
But it’s even more than that:
God prepares rewards for us according to our work.
That also blows me away.
Here I am already receiving the undeserved gift of eternal life from Him -- a product of the work of God -- and I also have the chance to go on mission for Him and be rewarded for that too?!
Amazing.
Now, I have no idea what the rewards will actually look like. But considering the description of heaven includes streets paved with gold (i.e., one our most valuable stones on earth is the same as asphalt in heaven) I imagine the reward is spectacular.
Of course, this means that you and I have lots of work to do.
Maybe it’s planting; maybe it’s watering.
Either way, we each have a special assignment, and special gifting from the Holy Spirit to fulfill the assignments.
Let’s get to it!
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2026 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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