Bev Franco Essay - San Francisco Theological Seminary

almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness” (Tobit 4:8-
10). In Acts, Cornelius is told by an angel, “’Your prayers and your alms have ascended
as a memorial before God’” (Acts 10:4). Jesus tells The Rich Young Man that if he sells
his possessions and gives the money to the poor, he will have treasure in heaven (19:21).
Jesus promises heavenly rewards to those who perform acts of mercy. At the last
judgment, those who take care of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick,
and the imprisoned (the “least of these who are members of my family”) will “inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (25:31-46). Those who give
up houses or family for Jesus “will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life”
(19:29-30). The issue is not whether we should expect a reward for our deeds, but
whether the reward will be earthly or heavenly. 32
The heavenly reward, however, as Allison tells us, is “in no way calculable.” 33
The basis for our reward is love, which cannot be quantified or balanced. How can we
hope to love enough to match the love of God In The Parable of the Workers in the
Vineyard (20:1-16), those who worked only an hour received the same pay as those who
had worked all day, which tells us that God is unexpectedly generous (although our first
inclination is to shout, “That’s not fair!”). We often receive much more than we deserve.
“Despite his words about reward and punishment, Jesus discouraged people from
measuring their religious achievements and calculating divine rewards.” 34
According to Betz, the verses about treasure are concerned with abundance and
with the Golden Rule of treating others as we would hope to be treated. “Abundance, to
the extent that it is available, is there to be shared. Its purpose is not to be hoarded as
32 Ibid. 634.
33 Ibid.
34 Ibid.
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