Pay For Performance
May 7, 2000
Dear Friends:
Several years ago at work, I was due for my annual review which determined how large a pay increase I would receive. This review came after having a very successful year and suffering from several years of poor raises. As my boss and I, who had become friends over the years, were preparing for the review, I asked him “Do you know why I come to work for you day after day?” “No, I don’t,” he said. I responded with a smile, “Because you pay me.”
The less-than-subtle message I was attempting to convey is that I was due a larger than normal pay increase. Our relationship was based on a monetary system where I was paid to perform. Good performance equals good pay. Bad performance equals poor pay. We had some catching up to do.
Sometimes we may be tempted to approach God in this manner. The philosophy is deeply ingrained in popular culture.
As believers in the hope of Israel, we are thankful for anticipation of life forever when Jesus Christ returns to the earth to set up his Kingdom. We cannot help but feel the comfort of God’s watching eye in our daily affairs. Yet, neither of these can be understood as payment of any type for services rendered.
“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10)
Grace is often understood to mean “unmerited favor” or “undeserved kindness.” The implication of grace is that we are undeserving. Somehow, somewhere, many people have gotten it into their head that grace doesn’t mean undeserved, but “partially deserved.” “Work out your own salvation” (Phil 2:12) becomes their battle cry. They forget or ignore the next verse – “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (NIV)
The metaphor of scripture to salvation is that of a gift, beyond measure, that God in His goodwill has granted us. This great gift is bestowed on those who believe the Gospel. We know too that Bible faith must, by definition, include works of faith. Yet, the linkage between the works and the reward is indirect at best.
If we seek for a relationship with God based upon a “pay for performance” scenario, we will be gravely disappointed. The Scripture is plain. “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’” (Rom. 3:10-12)
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)
“I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:38)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
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