Zero Sum Game
“ . . . they have received their reward.” Matthew 6:2, 5, 16 ESV
Reward – What if I told you that God’s pie is only so big? What if you recognized that there is only so much of God’s blessings to be spread around? What if you changed your view of the infinite provisions of God’s grace and operated on the basis that the eternal plan provides only a limited amount of reward? That’s the view of Judaism in the first century. The pie is only so big. Rewards can be used now or later, but they aren’t endless. And what gets used now can’t be reused later. Furthermore, when justice finally arrives, the wicked will have spent all they were allotted but the righteous who suffer now will reap later what has been stored up for them. The Jewish concept of justice does not entail an endless supply of God’s goodness. It views God’s creation as a zero-sum game. When the wicked take what they want now, they deplete the share of others. That’s why the righteous suffer now. They have been robbed by those who do not deserve God’s favor. But justice will straighten out all this mess. The wicked will discover their accounts have been spent. The righteous will discover their accounts have been replenished. With this view in mind, suffering takes on a different meaning.
“Suffering is to be accepted as a mark of God’s grace, a gift, an occasion, a mode of atonement and reconciliation with God. . . . The righteous suffer in this world and get their reward in the world to come, but the wicked enjoy this world and suffer in the world to come.”[1]
This explanation of Jewish thought in the first century helps us make sense of Yeshua’s remark about the hypocrites and His parables about rewards. Yes, the righteous suffer now, but their suffering is redemptive. Suffering now atones for sin. Suffering now stores up rewards later. Suffering now is a red badge of courage, a purple heart given by God for meritorious service in the Kingdom. Suffering now is the privilege of the elect. And in the end, the zero-sum game will make everything right.
We might say, “Woe to those whose lives are directed by the pursuit of pleasure, power or comfort. They have spent their reward. Woe to them. In the olam ha’ba they will gnash their teeth and cry for mercy, but their accounts will be empty.”
The Greek word, misthos, means “reward for work” or “payment for hire.” It is always connected with action, with effort, with behavior. It also implies that all behaviors carry consequences; sometimes reward, sometimes punishment. But which is which will not be clear until justice divides the spoils. The righteous are assured that their suffering for the Kingdom produces an eternal IOU which God will honor. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Are you spending or saving?
Topical Index: reward, misthos, suffering, Matthew 6:2, Romans 8:18
Deserve God’s favor? – how would this be accomplished? Every good boy deserves favor? Do we (any of us) deserve God’s favor? Is God’s favor a reward for good behavior? Does my goodness cause God to repent? or is it the other way around- the goodness of God causes me to repent? (think differently).
If I were to offer anyone a new Mercedes Benz and then that same recipient were to offer to chip in $10 toward the purchase of the car- would it be considered 100% gift or could I say in the future “I helped to pay for this car?” A gift is a gift and salvation is a gift. And so is the “ability” to live a sanctified life. And so is the “ability” to repent. All are the “gifts” of God, including life itself. My “ability” to think and to choose and to breathe in and out. Life is a consistent and constant gift.
Now then, the question. Is “eternal life” a quantity? (we live forever!-yahoo!- doing what?) or is it a quality? (I AM come that you might have life and have it more abundantly (overflowing)? Yes, it is.
And suffering? Yes, “suffering” also is a grace-gift! Why? (Psalm 119.71)
This is not a reply for Carl Roberts comment. Its my I don’t understand point of view. I ‘ll be a little naive in this but aren’t we all always wanting maybe not power but YES to comfort or it means that I have to look for the comfort of others? but how if I don’t have it. I think now I understand all has to do with the intention of the heart.
“Suffering now atones for sin.” ? ?
If this is true it is extremely important to know exactly how much suffering is required. Who will teach me? Is it sufficient if my little finger is cut off, (by enemies of the Gospel) or must my whole leg be cut off? Must I be shunned for 1 year, or for 30, or for an entire lifetime in order to atone for my sin?
My Bible gives the answer: Jesus’s suffering was enough. I can’t add to it.
Paul suffered for the sake of the Gospel being SPREAD, not for his own sins’ atonement. He did whatever and suffered whatever it cost to spread the Gospel to others who had not heard that it is free for the taking. No payment. Beatings, prison, snake bite, no matter–he endured what was bad for him in order that he could do what was best for others. Jesus is BEST.
This is what Romans 8: 18 says to me. Paul’s version of “This little bite? Pfttttt! These few days in prison, aw, they ain’t worthy of mention compared to the glory of working for my Savior.”
When Jesus ressurected, He didn’t stay around 30 more years to tell others He’s alive and He’s paid sin’s awful price, BUT He did commission HIS body (Col.1: 24) the church to tell it, and sent the Holy Spirit to help us to do it.
Doing what is costly (in a hundred ways) for the benefit of others is the way of Jesus.
The pie is big enough for “whosoever will”
Salvation is a huge reward, nobody needs more, but Jesus (so sweet) has even more stored up for those who will spread His good news of the success of His mission to earth.
~ “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward ~ (Matthew 6.2)
Attention everyone, I am about to give two farthings to the poor! -Call in the cameras and alert the media- be sure everyone is aware of my generosity and compassion! Verily, “this man” has received his reward.. -“to be seen of men”. That’s it! and that’s all- to be seen of men. End of story, end of glory– “to be seen of men.”
Is this how we are supposed to give- so everyone can “witness” our goodness? No. Not at all. According to the “Torah” – God’s instructions from God’s Book,- we are to give our alms and do our good deeds “in secret.” No fanfare, no one knows except the ONE who knows all things, including our motivations are and the reason for our giving. Why am I doing this “good thing?” Giving to those who are in need is absolutely a good thing and something we all should practice whenever possible, -not just the “tithe” on Sunday, but our giving should be (and needs to be)- in secret and without expectation of recognition or reward.
Friend, there is ONE who sees and it is His “well done” we live for. I give because He gives. He is my Example and He is my Supplier. “Give and it shall be given unto you.” Live generously- learn to be a giver and a lover- just as your Father in Heaven is a Giver and a Lover! Like Father- like son. (Yes!- we are the children of God!)
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
(Annie J. Flint)
~But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”~ (James 4.6)