Understanding God's Rewards: A Deeper Look into Hebrews 11:6

The Meaning of Reward in Faith

Ever wonder what God really means when He says He’ll “reward” those who seek Him?

Hebrews 11:6 puts it like this:

“Without faith, it’s impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

That verse used to feel kind of abstract to me. I figured the “reward” was mostly spiritual—like peace in your heart or eternal life down the road. And yes, it absolutely includes those. But when you read the rest of Hebrews 11 closely, something becomes clear: God’s rewards can be both physical and spiritual. It depends on His purpose—but He always rewards.

Examples of God's Rewards

Let me show you what I mean.

Take Noah, in verse 7. By faith, he built an ark. And what happened? God saved him and his family from a global flood. That’s not symbolic—that’s real. His actual life was spared. Physical reward. But it didn’t stop there. Scripture says he became an heir of righteousness. That’s a spiritual connection with God. Two layers of reward—one you could see, one you couldn’t.

Now look at Abraham, verses 8–19. God told him to pack up and leave everything familiar. Abraham obeyed—and God gave him a new land and, eventually, a son when it seemed impossible. Again: those are physical blessings. But there’s more—Abraham’s faith linked him to God’s eternal promise, the covenant that pointed straight to Jesus. That’s spiritual. That’s forever.

The Hard Truth of Faith

But it’s not always easy or visible. In verses 35–38, the chapter takes a hard turn. Some believers were tortured! Imprisoned! Killed! The Bible even says “they did not receive what was promised” in this life. They didn’t get the house, the healing, or the rescue. But they kept going. Why? Because they were trusting God for something even greater—a better resurrection. That’s a reward too. Not one you touch now, but one that lasts forever.

The Greek Meaning of Rewards

So back to Hebrews 11:6. That word “rewards”—in the original Greek, it’s misthapodotēs. It doesn’t mean just one kind of payout. It’s broad. It covers any compensation God gives—provision, protection, purpose, presence. Food on the table. Strength in your soul. Peace in a storm. Eternity in His presence.

Personal Testimony of Seeking God

And I’ve seen that personally. Years ago, I hit a rough patch—no job, bills stacking up, stress through the roof. All I could do was lean into prayer, asking God to help and trusting He was still in control. What did I get? First, peace. A sense that He was with me, even if nothing changed. That’s a spiritual reward. Then, out of the blue, work came through—bills covered, needs met. That’s physical. Both were rewards from seeking Him.

Jesus on Seeking God

This idea pops up in other places, too. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

He was talking about food, clothing, shelter—your basic needs.

And in Philippians 4:19, Paul writes:

“My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

So yes, God cares about your physical needs. But the spiritual reward—knowing Him, walking with Him, trusting Him—that’s the anchor that holds it all together.

The Takeaway: Both Physical and Spiritual Rewards

Here’s the takeaway:

God’s rewards aren’t either-or—they’re both. But He’s not a vending machine. He’s not just handing out blessings for good behavior. When we earnestly seek Him, like Hebrews 11:6 says, we open ourselves to His full reward—sometimes physical, always spiritual.

So the next time life feels heavy, do this: PAUSE. Pray. Seek God—not just the fix, but Him. Write down what you’re trusting Him for. Be real. And watch how He shows up. It might be groceries. It might be peace. Probably both.

Because God rewards—always.

Pastor Clark Ortiz

www.CenterChurchRGV.com

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