Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

Sometime ago, I sat in on a confrontation with a man who had stolen another man’s wife. As the discussion progressed, I noticed an absence of guilt on this man’s heart, even though I knew that he had heard God’s word sufficiently to know that his conduct was sinful. Consequently, I asked the man if he saw anything wrong in divorcing his wife and marrying the wife of another man. To my consternation, the man actually tried to defend his conduct. I could hardly believe what I heard.

Similarly, I can hardly believe my eyes when I read what my brethren are writing to defend their usage of reward motivation. When I first began to investigate the bus ministry, I expected that some of the gimmicks being used were the product of some untaught zealot who simply got carried away. Now I know that is not the case. Reward motivation is a vital part of the bus ministry. It is advocated and defended by its proponents. Hence, in this article, I want to (1) acquaint our readers with the arguments used to justify reward motivation and (2) refute those arguments.

Arguments For Reward Motivation

1. Jesus used reward motivation.

The idea of being rewarded with material blessings as a result of our service is Biblical.

Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel’s, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mk. 10:29-30).

Jesus points out we will receive eternal life in the world to come, but please observe that there are material blessings available for us “Now in this time,” if we serve him faithfully.

Again, notice Matt. 6:33; “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Jesus said “these things shall be added unto you” material blessings such as, food, clothing and shelter.

We are rewarded now for faithful service and then the greater blessings will be ours throughout eternity.

Why have you said this? Because some brethren will oppose giving awards to the children for their faithful attendance and their diligence in bringing others (Albert Hill, On The Move with Bus Evangelism, p. 73).

a. Mk. 10:29-30. “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, but that he shall 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 the world to come, eternal life.” If this passage authorizes reward motivation, then I will take one of those farms mentioned in this verse. I have been pretty good in my attendance and service, so just go ahead and give me one of those nice farms.

Anyone who reads this can see that this passage is not authorizing rewards to those who ride buses. It is not even discussing what the church will do. Rather, it is discussing what God will do. These material blessings are not offered as inducements or allurements to get men to follow Christ. Jesus simply stated men who left all to follow him would be blessed in this present life.

b. Matt. 6:33. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” This passage again is not offering inducements for church attendance; such is a perversion of this passage. Rather, this passage is teaching people not to worry about the physical necessities of life because God will be sure that our necessities are met. Giving bubble gum, balloons, ice cream, etc., as inducements to ride a bus is not authorized by this passage.

2. Other Arguments.

Rewards will be given from time to time to children on the busses; some will criticize this but the Lord said to compel them to come in. Matt. 10:42. Christ offered rewards. If we will just give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, ye shall in no wise lose your reward. God rewards us for doing things. Heb. 11:6 “He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder unto them that diligently seek after him” (Russell L. Sample, Reaching the Common Man With The Gospel of Christ Through the Bus Ministry, p.5).

Our Lord also promised that just by giving “a cup of cold water” that “he shall in no wise lose his reward.” (Matt. 10:42) Friends, if giving a drink of water is scriptural, then would it matter much if it had a little sweetener added, was colored and perhaps called “Kool-Aid”? I think not! If drinks of water in the name even of a “disciple” will be blessed by the Savior, then will donuts, Kool-Aid, cookies, gum and sandwiches, receive any less of a blessing? Such reasoning that opposes the giving of “treats” out of Christian love and concern, yet defends the water fountain in the foyer is illogical if not characteristic of sheer stupidity! (Carl W. Wade, Joy Bus Evangelism, p. 46).

Matt. 10:42 does not command or infer that reward motivation is scriptural. Jesus was not suggesting that we give cokes, ice cream, candy or bubble gum to children to induce them to come to services. What Jesus was discussing was the giving of a drink of water to quench the thirst of a brother. The person who served his brother because he was a fellow Christian will not lose his reward. His reward, of course, will be given in heaven.

The Unanswerable Argument

When brethren resort to the Scriptures to authorize what they are doing, a man can examine the context to see whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant the conclusion drawn from it. In the passages cited in the above quotations, one can see that the evidence is insufficient. However, there is one line of argumentation which is unanswerable. Read the following:

It is perfectly all right to have “fellowship” for the “church” but heresy if you have a “party” for the children! What is the difference except for the semantics?! None! (Carl W. Wade, op, cit., p. 47).

During V.B.S. we reward the children for their work in bringing other. We offer them prizes for their work-a Bible, a picnic, a special trip, etc. If it is scriptural to do this one week out of a year, can we do it fifty-two weeks out of the year?

Also, during V.B.S., we serve refreshments. Usually, it consists of “watered-down” kool-aid and cookies purchased at a bargain. If we can do this one week out of a year, can we do it fifty-two? (Albert Hill, op. cit., pp. 72-73).

That argument is unanswerable. Brother Hill and Brother Wade are right. If it is right to use reward motivation once, it is right to use it all of the time.

However, who has proven that it is right to use reward motivation once? Although these brethren’s argument carries weight with those liberals who use reward motivation during their Vacation Bible School and conduct adult parties called fellowship dinners, it does not prove very much to those of us who have opposed such things all along. Rather, the bus ministry is just another example of the chickens having come home to roost, from our point of view.

How Successful Is Reward Motivation?

Those involved in the bus ministry will laud the praises of reward motivation. However, some teachers are not quite as convinced. Hugh M. Salisbury and Larry D. Peabody wrote the following in A Guide To Effective Bible Teaching (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1966; p. 92):

At the village church in Kalonovka, Russia, attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, pugnacious lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch on it. The priest took a liking to the boy, persuaded him to attend church school. This was preferable to doing household chores from which his devout parents excused him. By offering other inducements, the priest managed to teach the boy the four Gospels. In fact, he won a special prize for learning all four by heart and reciting them nonstop in church. Now 60 years later, he still likes to recite Scriptures, but in a context that would horrify the old priest. For the prize pupil, who memorized so much of the Bible is Nikita Khruschev, the former Communist Czar.

From a practical standpoint, reward motivation does not produce the inward character necessary for true spirituality. It might produce an outward form of godliness to get the prize offered, but it will not build character.

Jesus condemned the doing of righteousness to obtain an earthly reward in Matt. 6:1-6. He said,

Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Thus, when you give alms sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men, Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your alms may be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men, Truly, I say to you they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

This passage plainly forbids the practice of righteousness to be seen of men, much less to be rewarded by men. Furthermore, I remind you that Jesus would not accept those as His disciples who followed Him merely for the loaves and the fish (Jn. 6). Such a follower was worthless to Him.

Conclusion

Even the denominationalists are beginning to see that reward motivation is sinful. In Visions of Bubble Gum, Forrest L. Keener, a Baptist preacher, criticized the reward motivations of certain Baptist Churches. In his conclusion, he quoted the poem “Gimmicks” by Gene Sutton.

My brethren need to learn this lesson! God’s power to save is not hamburgers, bubble gum, lollipops, etc.; it is the gospel! This is what God uses to draw men to Him (Jn. 6:44-45).

It seems that churches everywhere

are doing things today

To try to bring their attendance up

by giving things away.

They’re running buses all over town

in a way they think is dandy

Giving all the boys and girls that ride

some bubble gum or candy.

And maybe they’ll have a contest

give the winner a free plane ride

Or offer them a ten-speed bike

that would make one swell with pride.

God does not use this kind of plan

to save one from his sin

But uses visitation

to bring the sinner in.

So if you’re using this unscriptural plan

perhaps you had better stop

Or your reward in heaven

might be just a lollipop.

Truth Magazine XXII: 20, pp. 323-325
May 18, 1978

By Jack H. Kirby

Men take an unrealistic view of death today by taking no view at all. Some try to ignore it away, because basically we are reluctant to let our mind dwell on what we consider to be morbid. However, since it is “appointed unto man once to die” (Heb. 9:27), we should wisely and soberly approach death with planning and not shunning. As I think about the time that I must die, I think of the words of Balaam in Num. 23:10, “Let me die the death of the righteous.”

Let me die the death of the righteous that my family may be strengthened by my example. Memories of good people are precious and uplifting. A righteous legacy enriches lives to greater duty. There is no regret about “what might have been.” Comfort lies in the knowledge that faithful Christians are rewarded in heaven. The wise man of long ago said, “A good name is better than precious ointment” (Eccl. 7:1-4). Ointments were costly in his day. They were counted among the riches of the day. Riches cannot buy a good name, but it will live forever. A good name left to our heirs is better than all the earth’s silver and gold.

Let me die the death of the righteous that my friends might have hope by seeing Christianity lived before their eyes. Let me be faithful in living the Christian life. Let me show compassion toward people by caring and ministering unto them. Truly it is more blessed to give than receive.

Let me die the death of the righteous that I might have confidence at death. “Perfect love casteth out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18). How sorrowful to come to life’s end not prepared for judgment! What a terrible thought to know the soul is lost forever! What a rejoicing to know the hope of the Christian-a hope both sure and steadfast, a peace that passeth all understanding.

Let me die the death of the righteous that some soul might be led to Christ. The good that men do lives after them. Abel “being dead yet speaketh” (Heb. 11:14). Sermons preached, lessons written, and words spoken live on in the hearts of men. Memories and examples of lives already lived sometime motivate men to faithfulness.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psa. 116:15). And so I pray, “Lord when I die, let me die the death of the righteous.”

Truth Magazine XXII: 20, p. 322
May 18, 1978

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Virginia: “Certainly we have to admire Daniel’s courage in praying to God after the edict not to pray for 30 days, but why did he have to do it before an open window, just because the command had not yet been given not to pray to be seen of men?”

Reply:

If you are not familiar with the story of Daniel in the lions’ den, read the sixth chapter of Daniel. The question above is based on the events described in that passage.

Even in the Old Testament, praying to be seen of men was wrong. The consideration of Daniel’s deeds does not involve that particular point. Suffice it to say that Daniel did not pray to be seen of men. If he had, he would have been censored. It is not indicated in the sacred narrative that Daniel acted improperly in any manner. His conduct was vindicated by his miraculous deliverance. The fact that neither Daniel’s behavior nor his judgment were questioned is tacit proof of the propriety of his actions in every respect.

Matthew Henry answers the major portion of our querist’s question; so, we shall let him conclude this column.

“When he knew that the writing was signed he continued to do as he did aforetime, and altered not one circumstance of the performance. Many a man, yea, and many a good man, would have thought it prudence to omit it for these thirty days, when he could not do it without hazard of his life; he might have prayed so much the oftener when those days had expired and danger was over, or he might have performed the duty at another time, and in another place, so secretly that it should not be possible for his enemies to discover it; and so he might both satisfy his conscience and keep up his communion with God, and yet avoid the law, and continue in his’ usefulness. But, if he had done so, it would have been thought, both by his friends and by his enemies, that he had thrown up the duty for this time, through cowardice and base fear, which would have tended very much to the dishonor of God and the discouragement of his friends. Others who moved in a lower sphere might well enough act with caution; but Daniel, who had so many eyes upon him, must act with courage; and the rather because he knew that the law, when it was made, was particularly leveled against him. Note, we must not omit duty for fear of suffering, no, nor so much as seem to come short of it. In trying times great stress is laid upon our confessing Christ before men (Matt. x. 32), and we must take heed lest, under pretense of discretion, we be found guilty of cowardice in the cause of God.”

Truth Magazine XXII: 20, p. 322
May 18, 1978

By Donald P. Ames

In Heb. 11:1 we find, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” There are things we must accept by faith, as there is no other way we can explain them. We cannot examine them scientifically, nor are we eyewitnesses of them. Thus, our only source of information is that which is found in the word of God itself. To illustrate, even the Bible tells us, “No man has seen God at any time” (Jn. 1:18). What is He like? Does He have a body? Where did he come from? Is He masculine or a female, as some today claim? Our only source for answers is that which is found in the Bible (Jn. 4:24, Gen. 1:1).

By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3). What do we know about the creation? Was it six actual days or billions of years? Did it come at the spoken word of God, or by some other means? How did man get here? Our only reply, again, is what the word of God reveals to us (Gen. 1-2).

How do we know there is a heaven? Has anyone ever actually seen it? Have we walked its street? Taken pictures of it? Do we have any tangible evidence it exists? Does man have a soul? Can we scientifically calculate its existence? Is it eternal or does it cease when we die? And, are our sins really removed when we obey the gospel of Christ? What proof do we have that they have been? These, and many more questions, are only able to be answered by going to the word of God (Matt. 5:12, 10:28, 25:46; Mk. 16:16; etc.). Again our reply is- basely solely upon faith in the word of God that these things are so.

Because of this faith in the Bible as the source of our convictions, some today would accuse us of following a “blind faith,” of believing in a faith that is “groundless” and “without support.” They mock our belief in God and in the Bible as His inspired word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). They denounce it as “unreasonable,” “unscientific,” and “foolishness.”

Of course it is true we accept only by faith in the word of God that God has always existed. But by the same token, evolutionists must also accept by faith the eternal existence of energy and matter. Thus the question that must be answered is: Which system of faith (creation with God or evolution without God) is the more logical and consistent? Is Christianity a defensible religion? I believe that it is, and that our faith is based on valid and solid evidences.

Paul was not afraid nor ashamed to profess a belief in the Bible as the inspired word of God (Rom. 1:16). He went amongst the heathen (Gentiles) and “in almost all of Asia… persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all” (Acts 19:26). This he could not do by pronouncing a blindly accepted faith and merely asking them to accept it because he liked that idea better than the idea of their idols. Instead, he challenged their idols, reasoned with them, presented evidence for the existence of one true God, and convinced them of the validity of the revealed word of God. So did the others who carried the word of God forth amongst the heathen. Their logic and reasoning had to be valid and effective or they would have made no converts.

God has given us testimony of Himself in the creation, the universe and the marvelous creation of man (Rom. 1:20; Acts 14:17; Job 37-38; Psa. 19:1-2, 139:14). The Bible also bears testimony that it is the product of a Divine Mind in the consistency of its account, the prophecies and their fulfillment, the accuracy of their records, and the simplicity with which it treats its great themes and men-without claiming sinless perfection for its heros. Indeed it is the inspired word of that “Divine Mind” (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Thess. 2:13). Thus, our faith is not “groundless,” and “without support” but based on solid, reasonable and reliable evidence. We can know it is sound because the basis has been demonstrated, and from this clear proof, we need not fear to base our faith on its promises, nor to stand ready to declare its defense (1 Pet. 3:15). Thank God for the evidences He has given us, that we might have faith in the accuracy of His word on those things we must accept by faith (Titus 1:2).

Truth Magazine XXII: 19, pp. 317-318
May 11, 1978