A Guaranteed Bonanza (another follow up)

This is a follow up to the two preceding postings. My second was prompted because of what I read the day following my initiatory writing. That is because I read these comments:

"Which means that we should beware of serving God from mercenary motives. We should beware of the attitude that says to God, “I have done this for you; what shall I get in return?” Such a question betrays a fundamental ignorance of God and what he has done for us in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It displays an ignorance of God’s sovereign grace. It elevates the merit of our efforts and displays a mistrust and misunderstanding of God’s goodness and generosity."

I have since pondered over what I wrote and tried to discern where I wrote something that was so out of harmony with scripture that would have provoked such a harsh denunciation. Was what I wrote evidence that I was fundamentally ignorant of God (either personally or theologically)? Or, ignorant about the person and work of Christ? Or that what I wrote shows that I elevate merit in salvation? Or that it showed a "mistrust and misunderstanding of God's goodness and generosity"? I have deeply mused upon this interpretation of what I wrote and of the scriptures I cited. I have also prayed over this and spoken to the Lord about it and asked to show me where I was right or where my brother is wrong, and to correct one of us. 

I believe it is appropriate to say to anyone that "it pays to serve God"; and perhaps to say "it does not pay to serve the Devil." It is just as appropriate as saying "crime doesn't pay." Or, "it pays to be honest." If I say "it pays to serve God" am I promoting the idea that God is to be served strictly because it pays well or that I am promoting merit over divine grace and mercy and lovingkindness? I don't think so and the verses I have cited so far back me up. Just to refresh you, here are some of the passages I cited in the previous two entries:

"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (I Tim. 4: 8 nkjv)

I then made this comment, which I believe is true based upon the above text:

"Godliness" is "profitable unto all things." There is no limit to the profits of living a godly life. It yields great rewards for both the present life and for the coming life in eternity; a great bonanza of blessings indeed."

Perhaps my brother reacted to the word "profits" in those words. But, the word "profits" and "profitable" are in the text, so why should he object to that? Godliness, or serving God, is profitable. I also cited these words of Paul also in the same letter to Timothy:

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (I Tim. 6: 6 nkjv)

I also cited this text:

"Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18: 28-30 nkjv) 

In commenting upon this I wrote:

"Jesus assured him that he would reap "many times more" from his investment, bringing a bonanza of blessings "in this present time and in the age to come" as well."

Was the brother emotionally reacting to the word "investment"? And, about it bringing a bonanza or profits? 

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16: 26 nkjv)

Jesus is the one who used the word "profit" in the matter of whether it pays to serve God. He even used not only the word "profit" but the words "gains" and "exchange." It is Christ asking which is the better deal, to serve Satan, Mammon, or the world, or to serve the one true God and Jesus Christ his Son? Further, I don't think it is wrong to say, in common lingo, that we either make our deal with God or with the Devil and the world. 

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me." (Isaiah 55: 1-3)

"I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." (Rev. 3: 18 nkjv)

"Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding." (Prove. 23: 3)

People should be told that spending their time, labor, money, energy, etc., in the service of sin and Satan, and of self and the lust of the flesh, is a bad deal. It will cost you, both now and forever. Is that a betrayal of grace to say this?

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." (Heb. 11: 24-26 nkjv)

So, is it wrong for me to tell people to forsake worldly treasures and seek the heavenly treasures? Also, when I speak of obtaining profits, or gains, or abundance (bonanzas), I do not allude to material things primarily, but to the things that are more precious than gold, such as having God's smiles of approval, knowledge of spiritual things, fellowship with God, peace and joy, etc. But, I don't exclude material blessings, both in this life and of life in eternity. Remember Paul said "all things are yours" (I Cor. 3: 21) and the words of Jesus who said "the meek shall inherit the earth." (Matt. 5: 5) Is it wrong to say to people that in becoming Christians they will walk streets of gold and live in the New Jerusalem in wealth?

In the comment section for the second in this short series, I added this text:

"Moreover by them (God's judgments or word) Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward." (Psa. 19: 11)

I added this because I keep thinking of other verses that say that there is "great reward" (a bonanza of blessings) for those who are godly, who keep the commands of the Lord. I also today thought of another text that should be considered in thinking upon God's promise of eternal profits for serving him. It involves what Christ said to the rich young ruler who asked him "what shall I do that I might have eternal life?" After telling him to "keep the commandments" and after the young man says "all these have I kept from my youth up," we read what he then said. The text says:

"Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matt. 19: 21 nkjv)

"Go, sell...and you will have treasure in heaven"? Was Jesus giving this man the wrong counsel by giving him mercenary motives for him giving up all his assets and following Jesus?

So, how do we harmonize all this with what is recorded by the prophet Malachi who gave us this oracle of Yahweh:

"You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord of hosts?" (Mal. 3: 14 nkjv)

These people were not doing wrong by viewing service to God as both a cost and a reward, for it is. The error was in thinking that the profits from obeying God were not worth the investment, the result of putting too high a value on their labors and putting too low a value on what God gives as rewards for service. They made a bad decision.

There is no contradiction in texts which promise a bonanza of blessings to the faithful and the godly and such blessings being a result of unmerited favor, of grace and mercy, of kindness. That is because

1) "God has worked all our works in us" (Isaiah 26: 12)

2) "It is not I that do it, but the grace of God in me" (I Cor. 15: 10).