"Our instinct is to give to those who will give us something in return.  But Jesus told us to give to "the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind...Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  (Luke 14:13 - 14).  If we give to those who can't reward us, Christ guarantees He will personally reward us."  - Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle

Most people would probably agree that it's wrong to keep score in relationships.  Whether it's a best friend, your roommate or your spouse, once we start keeping mental scoreboards, it's all downhill from there.  And yet, it's so easy and natural to do.  The most ridiculous example from my own life happened in high school.  This was back when everyone exchanged wallet-sized pictures and carried them around in mini photo books.  Showing off your photo book was the modern equivalent of reviewing your social media contacts.  Who you knew, and who you had pictures of was important.  Equally as important was the consideration of who was showing off pictures of you.  So I developed a "friend" (quotes intentional) in one of my classes.  She and I were only acquaintances but after every dance we attended, we'd sync up and exchange dance pictures.  I felt popular!  But I tried to remain low key about it.  This continued on for several dances, until one where she attended and I did not.  I wasn't sure how the next day would go.  Would I receive if I had nothing to give in exchange?  She approached me, told me about the dance and showed me her picture.  I admired it and we chatted some more.  But she took the picture back with her when she left.  I had nothing to offer her so she didn't want to waste a picture on me.   Luckily, even at the time I realized this was the definition of a fairweather friend.  I'm happy to say I was able to laugh it off and move on.  

The story has stuck with me just because it is an example of obvious and absurd scoreboard behavior.  But as we get older, it becomes more nuanced, and it's easier to hide or justify why we shouldn't have to "throw our money away" and get nothing in return.  In fact, in the US, we're so used to getting exactly what we paid for, that we insist on reversing the exchange (and getting our money back) if it doesn't meet our expectations.  So it can be hard to justify giving to a "cause".  It sounds so nebulous.  What is it actually selling?  Pride?  Bragging rights?  Fortunately, we have a way to redirect our natural selfish instincts.  God created us and He understands them.  He just asks that we use our resources here to bank up rewards in the next life.  And the great thing is, we don't even have to apologize for it!  It's OK to be excited about all the treasure we are storing up in Heaven with the giving we're doing on Earth.  He wants us to be!  As Alcorn points out, this is God's own reward system for us and we are invited to joyfully participate! 

This joyful participation also has another side effect - one that I feel has come into narrow focus lately.  With all of the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic this year, people are being reminded of the brevity of life and their own mortality.  For some, it is a sober reminder, but for others, it fills them with an inexpressible fear.  Don't misunderstand - life is precious and I hold my loved ones dearly, and want every single moment I can have with them.  But when each person's time comes, I hope that they have a sense of peace.  A peace in knowing where they're going, and knowing that the place being prepared for them is being stockpiled with rewards from their Heavenly Father.  We often think of standing at the gates and hearing the list of what we've done wrong.  But God is also keeping a list of everything we've done right!  Everyone we have helped, shared the gospel with, and sacrificed for.  

My son Liam once said in a moment of self-reflection, "Mom, how do I pay you back for everything you've done for me?"  I just smiled and said, "You don't.  I just do it because I love you."   

- Rebekah Arias