Finding Fulfillment in God's Intrinsic Rewards
Summary
In the beginning, God created a world filled with beauty and abundance, a testament to His love for rewarding His creation. From the lushness of Eden to the intricate design of our daily lives, God has embedded rewards in the fabric of existence. These rewards are not merely material but are deeply spiritual and fulfilling. They are the intrinsic joys of life, such as love, learning, and the pursuit of God Himself. The concept of reward is central to habit formation, as seen in the natural world and our personal development. God designed us to respond to rewards, which shape our habits and ultimately our lives.
C.S. Lewis insightfully distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Intrinsic rewards, like the joy of learning for its own sake or loving someone genuinely, align with our deepest desires and are sustainable. In contrast, extrinsic rewards, such as wealth or reputation, often leave us unfulfilled. God invites us to seek Him earnestly, promising the ultimate reward of His presence, love, and joy. This is not about material gain but about experiencing the fullness of life with God.
Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is essential to please God, and part of that faith is believing that God rewards those who seek Him. This reward is not about earthly possessions but about the joy of a clean conscience, gratitude, beauty, and the knowledge of our purpose. Jesus, in Revelation, speaks of bringing His reward, emphasizing the spiritual richness of a life with God.
To make our lives rewarding, we must engage with God in simple, meaningful ways. Whether it's enjoying a cup of coffee during prayer, appreciating the beauty of creation, or giving generously, these actions connect us to God's goodness. Each day, despite its challenges, can be deeply rewarding if we seek God and recognize His presence in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- God delights in creating a world filled with beauty and abundance, offering us intrinsic rewards that align with our deepest desires, such as love and learning. These rewards are sustainable and fulfilling, unlike extrinsic rewards that often leave us empty. [02:06]
- Habit formation is deeply connected to the concept of reward. God designed us to respond to rewards, which shape our habits and ultimately our lives. This natural process reflects God's intention for us to experience life as rewarding. [03:36]
- C.S. Lewis highlights the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, urging us to seek the former. Intrinsic rewards, like the joy of learning or loving genuinely, are sustainable and align with our true purpose. [05:13]
- Faith involves believing that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This reward is not material but spiritual, offering us joy, gratitude, and a sense of purpose. It is the ultimate fulfillment of our desires. [07:30]
- Engaging with God in simple, meaningful ways can make our lives rewarding. Whether through prayer, appreciating creation, or giving generously, these actions connect us to God's goodness and presence. [09:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:06] - God's Rewarding Creation
[03:08] - The Power of Habits and Rewards
[05:13] - Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Rewards
[06:32] - C.S. Lewis on True Desires
[07:15] - Faith and God's Rewards
[08:14] - The Joy of God's Presence
[09:00] - Making Life Rewarding
[09:43] - Engaging with God's Creation
[10:15] - Finding Joy in Simple Acts
[10:49] - The Blessing of Giving
[11:05] - A Rewarding Day with God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:6 - "And 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."
2. Revelation 22:12 - "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."
Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does God demonstrate His love for rewarding His creation in the story of Eden? [02:06]
2. What role does the concept of reward play in habit formation, as discussed in the sermon? [03:36]
3. How does C.S. Lewis differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and what examples are given in the sermon? [05:13]
4. What does Hebrews 11:6 say about the relationship between faith and rewards? [07:30]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the idea of intrinsic rewards, such as love and learning, align with the concept of living a life that pleases God? [05:13]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that seeking God can lead to a rewarding life, beyond material possessions? [07:30]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of engaging with God in simple, meaningful ways to experience His rewards? [09:17]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of God's rewards compared to worldly rewards? [08:14]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily habits. How can you incorporate the concept of intrinsic rewards to shape habits that draw you closer to God? [03:36]
2. Consider a time when you pursued an extrinsic reward. How did it leave you feeling, and how might seeking intrinsic rewards change your perspective? [05:13]
3. What simple, meaningful actions can you take this week to engage with God and recognize His presence in your life? [09:17]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper faith that believes in God's promise to reward those who earnestly seek Him? [07:30]
5. Identify one area of your life where you can shift your focus from material gain to spiritual fulfillment. What steps will you take to make this shift? [08:14]
6. Think of a daily routine or activity you enjoy. How can you use it as an opportunity to connect with God and experience His goodness? [09:17]
7. How can you practice gratitude for the intrinsic rewards in your life, such as love, learning, and the pursuit of God? [08:43]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Creation and Intrinsic Rewards
God's creation is a testament to His love, filled with beauty and abundance. From the lushness of Eden to the intricate design of our daily lives, God has embedded rewards in the fabric of existence. These rewards are not merely material but are deeply spiritual and fulfilling. They are the intrinsic joys of life, such as love, learning, and the pursuit of God Himself. God delights in offering us intrinsic rewards that align with our deepest desires, such as love and learning. These rewards are sustainable and fulfilling, unlike extrinsic rewards that often leave us empty. [02:06]
Psalm 104:24-25 (ESV): "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great."
Reflection: How can you recognize and appreciate the intrinsic rewards God has placed in your life today, such as love and learning?
Day 2: The Power of Habits and Rewards
Habit formation is deeply connected to the concept of reward. God designed us to respond to rewards, which shape our habits and ultimately our lives. This natural process reflects God's intention for us to experience life as rewarding. By understanding the power of habits and the role of rewards, we can align our actions with God's purpose for us, experiencing a life that is both fulfilling and meaningful. [03:36]
Proverbs 4:26-27 (ESV): "Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
Reflection: What is one habit you can cultivate this week that aligns with God's rewarding design for your life?
Day 3: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Rewards
C.S. Lewis insightfully distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Intrinsic rewards, like the joy of learning for its own sake or loving someone genuinely, align with our deepest desires and are sustainable. In contrast, extrinsic rewards, such as wealth or reputation, often leave us unfulfilled. God invites us to seek Him earnestly, promising the ultimate reward of His presence, love, and joy. This is not about material gain but about experiencing the fullness of life with God. [05:13]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are pursuing extrinsic rewards. How can you shift your focus to seek intrinsic rewards that align with God's purpose?
Day 4: Faith and God's Spiritual Rewards
Faith involves believing that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This reward is not material but spiritual, offering us joy, gratitude, and a sense of purpose. It is the ultimate fulfillment of our desires. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is essential to please God, and part of that faith is believing that God rewards those who seek Him. This reward is about the joy of a clean conscience, gratitude, beauty, and the knowledge of our purpose. [07:30]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your faith today to experience the spiritual rewards God promises to those who seek Him?
Day 5: Engaging with God in Simple Ways
To make our lives rewarding, we must engage with God in simple, meaningful ways. Whether it's enjoying a cup of coffee during prayer, appreciating the beauty of creation, or giving generously, these actions connect us to God's goodness. Each day, despite its challenges, can be deeply rewarding if we seek God and recognize His presence in our lives. Engaging with God in these simple ways can make our lives rewarding and connect us to His goodness and presence. [09:17]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What simple action can you take today to engage with God and recognize His presence in your life?
Quotes
"and over and over again we see in that first chapter of the word good popping up God loves to create rewarding objects rewarding experiences rewarding moments when he creates Eden he says to the human being others there's these trees and they are beautiful to look at and they are good for food they're good stuff to eat and then there's gold we're told in Eden that's kind of rewarding stuff and Onyx these precious knowns and aromatic resin stuff that smelled really good and rivers run through it in a drought-stricken land to have water just gushing producing life that's a wonderful thing and then meaningful rewarding work to do rule over the Earth the sky the fish in the oceans the creatures on the ground I give you every seed bearing plant for food God says and then he gives the man and the woman to each other be fruitful and multiply that's a rewarding thing to do God is a God who loves to reward" [00:01:52]
"reward is indispensable for habit formation and of course God's the one that designed this and Charles duhigg says the Havoc Loop consists essentially at its core of these three Dynamics there is a cue you see something something stimulates oh yeah I want this and then there is a response you engage in some kind of behavior and then there is a reward ding ding ding ding there is a reward center in your brain and that's what creates the process of habit formation and that's true for every one of us so if you're listening to this and thinking I'm gonna think I'm not a feeling I'm not that much into rewards no no no no no no back in the 30s Edward Thorndike kind of the father of learning theory put a little rat in a maze put a little cheese at the end of it and then the first time he'd write down took the rats 60 seconds to figure out how to get through the Maze and then 30 seconds and then run it again 16 11 8 faster what happens every time is when the reward is experienced The Habit gets sharpened and clarified and more efficient and stronger" [00:03:12]
"and C.S Lewis wrote wonderful uh thoughts about this topic we're both in his book the problem of pain and in his essay the weight of Glory and he notes there's two different kinds of rewards we might think of an intrinsic reward an extrinsic reward if you marry somebody for their money that's an extrinsic reward it doesn't really uh fit with the behavior but if you marry them for love then marriage is the uh natural reward that goes with loving somebody or when you're learning if you learn because somebody's paying you to learn or because you get a good reputation for being smart that's an extrinsic reward and it's not terribly sustainable but if you learn for the love of learning as an intrinsic reward that's a really good thing to be able to do that's the reward that we were created for" [00:05:04]
"Back in the Day in Israel rabbis wanted young people to love God and love Torah God's word and so when they would teach Taurus sometimes they would put honey in the mouths of those little children who will learn taste and see that the Lord is good you were made to experience God in a deeply rewarding way Louis writes in the weight of Glory if we consider The Staggering number of rewards in the gospel and the unblushing nature of them it seems that God doesn't consider our desires too strong but too weak he says we are like little children making mud pies in Islam because we cannot conceive of the offer of a holiday at the seashore we're half-hearted creatures fooling around with pleasure or drink or sex or ambition when infinite Joy is offered to us we are far too easily pleased" [00:06:01]
"so now God comes to you today here this is so interesting this is now in Hebrews Hebrews chapter 11. the author writes without faith it's impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him if you're going to come to God you must believe that there is God obviously otherwise I'm not going to come but you also must believe that God is a rewarder of those who seek him now again it's not extrinsic rewards it's not like well you get a bigger house and a nicer hat and all this kind of stuff you get the joy of God you get the joy of a clean conscience you get the joy of knowing the reason why you exist you get the joy of gratitude and beauty and worship and goodness" [00:07:20]
"and the reality is if I do not experience being with God as a deeply rewarding thing I will never be able to sustain it I can't sustain it just on the basis of feeling guilty if I don't do it or feeling obligated or so and that was never God's intent God's intent from the very opening words of Genesis are to create that which is good and good and good he loves to satisfy the desires of his creatures with good thing the psalmist says Eden is a place of delight it is a rewarding place to be God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek him with the best of all possible rewards with love and joy and goodness and beauty and truth and courage and most of all God himself so so what will it take to make this a rewarding day" [00:08:14]
"how can you make your experience of God a rewarding thing might be very very simple it's just a little bit embarrassing but usually in the mornings when I go to talk to God I will do it with a cup of good strong coffee because I just love coffee in the morning and when I associate that with my time with God it's kind of energizing for me and I kind of think God likes me better when I have coffee then I mean he loves me all the time because he's God but I think our prayer time is even more alive for him in those kind of moments or it might be simply coming back into the world that God made and man those early chapters of Genesis should remind us so much of how God wants to meet us in this Eden the world that he created for us" [00:09:17]
"stop and smell the roses now what what happens when you smell a rose you experience its goodness beauty is goodness made manifest to the senses Dallas used to say to the eye and to the nose and then I am rewarded when I stop and do that today listen to a piece of music that you love have a conversation with somebody and be genuinely curious about them and learn and Delight in the conversation give to somebody and then think about imagine maybe hear the story of how that gift impacted their life and then you will be rewarded Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive giving comes with its own rewards if we simply stop and connect the dots" [00:09:51]
"this day this day is not going to be a perfect day that's for sure it most likely will not be an easy day so don't bother looking for that but I'll tell you what this day can be as rewarding as any day you have ever lived you can seek after God it just takes two things believing that God exists and if you're not sure just thinking there's a good possibility and then to believe he is a rewarder he is a rewarder our God is a rewarder God loves to reward God wants to reward you" [00:11:01]
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