Five Practices of High-Performance Christian Leaders | Conclusion: The Reward

In this final video, I just want to remind you that being a high-performance Christian leader really is worth it. I know that this isn’t easy. I’m commending these things to you not because they’re easy, but because the best leaders do things the right way. But this is going to be hard. It’s going to be a daily struggle. It’s going to take intense effort and long hours sometimes. But the high-performance Christian leaders are willing to put in the work that it takes, and their primary motivation is the reward that Christ offers. We’re not working for an earthly or tangible reward, like a paycheck or a trophy. We’re working for the eternal reward, the commendation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me just remind you of some simple truths from God’s Word. These are things you’ve probably heard before, but just think about them in this context for a minute.

2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or [worthless].” Our works as Christ’s servants will be weighed. We’ll be rewarded for the work we’ve done. Even if no one else see it. And what we’re longing to hear, as we put in time doing things the right way, is what the Master says in the parable of the talents, to those who stewarded their talents well: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23).

I come back to this verse often, but this would be an incredible thing to be able to say at the end of your life, what Paul wrote to Timothy about the way he had lived and led others: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6–8).

When you put in the work each day to become a high-performance leader, think about these truths. Look for your eternal reward. It will all be worth it! I’ll leave you with this final verse from 1 Corinthians 15:58 as we close: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”