JESUS GIVES REWARDS

Getting an allowance when you help at home is great. A sticker on a school paper when you do well feels really good, too!

You know you're supposed to be good and do good things, even when you don't get anything for it -- but getting a reward is an extra bonus.

Jesus didn't mind that people like to be noticed when they do something well. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 10:37-42), He promises that whenever you're good, God notices -- and that there's a reward in store for you!

If you're a kid, you've probably heard lectures about being good. You're supposed to work hard in school, not hurt people, do what grownups tell you and be quiet when it's time for that. And you're supposed to do all of that without expecting a reward.

Jesus' followers heard lectures, too. Jesus taught them to follow Him, pray, treat people well and teach everyone about Him. It must have been hard for them to do all that without expecting a reward!

Getting a little reward makes you happy about working hard to be good. If you're good at home, you might get a big hug or get to pick a video to watch that night. At school, doing well might get you a sticker or smiley-face on your paper.

Followers of Jesus get an even better reward. Jesus promised that anyone who followed Him and anyone who even helped someone who was working for Him would get something special.

And it would be better than a sticker or a video: Jesus promised we'd go to heaven!