Read Matthew 10:40-42.

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (v.41).

Accepting responsibility is usually serious business. Failure brings consequences; successful completion has its rewards. When God entrusts something into His people's hands, He always stands ready to reward them for being faithful administrators of His resources. He doesn't do this to incentivize nor bribe them, but rather to let them see that there is great reward in loving service and joyful compliance.

God's promised rewards are sure, but so are the consequences of failure. Those consequences are often magnified by the knowledge that we had an opportunity for something great, but we failed to grasp the opportunity. One of the greatest torments of hell will be knowing we could have gone to heaven with all the beauty and presence of God, but, through poor choices, we chose a different route. I do not know that this is an accurate depiction. But I do know that I do not want to exchange the presence of God in my life now for anything that is being offered by this world. (TJB)

God, may our actions and heart be in line with your will.