Rewards by Mark Spencer

Some believe they've risen above
Their earthly temptation.
That they're no longer driven by
Selfish motivations.

Perhaps I'm just not seeing it...
Their altruistic deeds.
I've heard about their righteous acts,
How they sow selfless seeds.

But those bragging rights they enjoy,
Are these not a reward?
They tarnish everything we've done
In the name of our Lord.

And those who give to charity,
Do they not benefit
From the write-off on their taxes;
As the taxman permits?

We want to make our peers believe
Our hearts are filled with light.
That Jesus Christ will raise us up,
Before the coming fight.

But our deeds serve to testify,
In the eyes of the Lord,
That everything we do or say,
Solicits a reward.

When we complement our neighbor,
We want one in return.
But if we hear no accolades,
That neighbor...we will spurn.

Applause is what we're searching for,
We go where it is scored.
For even simple complements
Require a reward.

If your good deeds have earned you more
Than the prodigal son;
Should his rewards equal your own,
If his deeds were outdone?

At least he did not try to hide
Behind some feigned disguise.
Searching for his own reflection
In someone else's eyes.

Righteousness requires no payment,
No treasures it can horde.
It seeks God because it loves Him,
Not to earn His rewards.

Megan (166.205.6.25) -- Tuesday, October 27 2009, 12:06 pm

Wow! You never candy coat anything, do you?
This is so true. I'm guilty too sometimes. I suppose I didn't really think about it until this moment. You really have a knack for peeling away the masks. That old saying is true, the truth hurts. I expect this will ruffle some feathers. You may not like some of the reactions you'll receive on this one. Good luck.

barb (67.58.197.120) -- Tuesday, October 27 2009, 02:59 pm

I agree
The people that give you a gift ,if we don't praise enough,we are called ungrateful and every time you see them they mention the gift they gave and ask if we liked it well what do they want us to kiss their feet for giving us a gift giving is suppose to be from the heart. Not a phony act.

shiloh (67.251.100.215) -- Tuesday, October 27 2009, 07:39 pm

amen, and amen!
those who preach on street corners have their reward, as do those who are published as being listed as giving certain amounts in the name of charity or whatever... florida is full of people waiting in God's waiting room, and they all study the Bible, cramming for their final exam, but if they were plastic in life, then what will they receive in death? how the proud and self-righteous will stumble, and their tears will sting their faces, but deeds done for self are not from love.

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