Abram returned home without compensation for saving Lot to encounter the presence of God for the fourth time.

Genesis 15:1 NAS95  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”

The contemporary English definition of reward is “something that is given in return for good or evil done or received, and especially that is offered or given for some service.” The Hebrew word translated reward carries a similar meaning: “payment of a contract; salary, by implication of compensation or benefit.”[1]  ^[xix]

What will God reward, pay, compensate Abram for?

Fighting to free a fellow believer.

If we do what is right by fighting for the righteous, who get wounded in the crossfire of evil people fighting with one another, God will protect us and compensate us. But there are lots of “Lots” in the church who won’t appreciate our efforts to help them, and their selfish decisions might cost us. If we look to anyone but God to reward the good we do for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we will find disappointment that can sour into bitterness.

God does not free anyone from the consequences of their choices and action. Fighting for evil people to escape the consequences of their actions enables them to continue in their destructive lifestyle.

Who did God send Jesus to?

Matthew 15:24 NAS95 (24)  But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Who did Jesus send his disciples to?

Matthew 10:5-6 NAS95

(5)  These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; (6)  but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

After Jesus resurrection, he sent his disciples to everyone. But Paul’s ministry to the gentiles always started in the local synagogue. He fought to help the lost sheep of the house of Israel who had gotten lost in doctrines full of human wisdom first. If the Jews rejected him, he turned to the gentiles.

Peter asked Jesus about compensation. Like Abram, Peter had left all to follow him. Jesus said:

Mark 10:29-30 NAS95 (29)  Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, (30)  but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

A church invited my husband to do a children’s revival. The church wanted to offer something on a child’s level so adults could attend the revival free from the distraction bored children can be. The evangelist needed little more than his Bible and a sermon. Children need object lessons, games, puppets, and skits to hold their attention and reinforce a theme. For the work involved in teaching children we were paid a pittance. We deducted the cost and split the profit with the family who helped us. We made $20 each for five two-hour services. Not long after the revival, our church, out of the blue and for no reason, gave my husband a $700 bonus. If God sent you to do something. He will reward you.

Whatever it costs us to fight for one another in our service to God, we have the assurance of compensation within our lifetime on earth, and eternal life in the age to come.

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[1] H7939 שָׂכָר  âkâr saw-kawr’ From H7986; payment of contract; concretely salary, fare, maintenance; by implication compensation, benefit: – hire, price, reward [-ed], wages, worth.