Article January 19, 1924 Issue

A Sure Reward

Ella W. Hoag

How generally does the thought of satisfactory reward present itself to mankind; yet how often do men let their desire for reward hinder their attainment of it! Many a time have they given so much attention to the good they have hoped to receive that they have failed to perform that which would have insured their gaining such good. All this has been largely because they have been blind to the fact that reward is always sure. Good always results in good, and likewise evil is invariably recompensed with evil. Paul stated this very positively when he said, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Now this law of God that like begets like is one of the simplest and at the same time one of the most beneficent of His statutes; for it not only contains the assurance that perfect blessing must follow right action, but is also a constant guard and protection, warning all that evil practices must be avoided if men would escape evil's sure reward of disaster and suffering. With the truth, that as a man soweth so shall he reap, placed before men, wisdom would naturally incline them to watch their sowing, that from good seed they may obtain only good fruitage.

All will undoubtedly agree that their desire is always to receive a good reward. No one is intentionally working to receive for himself that which he considers undesirable. Even when one does evil consciously, it is because he expects to gain some sense of satisfaction therefrom. In other words, he is believing that he may do evil that good may come, a condition of thought of which Paul says, its "damnation is just." Contrary to God's law that good cannot result from evil, nor can evil result from good, men have frequently been deceived into believing that in some way they might win a good reward without living in accordance with the divine law that if they would reap good they must sow good.

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