Rewards

Rewards
By Mark Spencer

Some believe they've risen above
Their earthly temptation.
That they're no longer driven by
Selfish motivations.

Perhaps I'm just not seeing it...
Their altruistic deeds.
I've heard about their righteous acts,
How they sow selfless seeds.

But those bragging rights they enjoy,
Are they not a reward?
They tarnish everything we've done
In the name of our Lord.

And those who give to charity,
Do they not benefit
From the write-off on their taxes;
As the taxman permits?

We want to make our peers believe
Our hearts are filled with light.
That Jesus Christ will raise us up,
Before the coming fight.

But our deeds serve to testify,
In the eyes of the Lord,
That everything we do or say,
Solicits a reward.

When we complement our neighbor,
We want one in return.
But if we hear no accolades,
That neighbor...we will spurn.

Applause is what we're searching for,
We go where it is scored.
For even simple complements
Require a reward.

If your good deeds have earned you more
Than the prodigal son;
Should his rewards equal your own,
If his deeds were outdone?

At least he did not try to hide
Behind some feigned disguise.
Searching for his own reflection
In someone else's eyes.

Righteousness requires no payment,
No treasures it can horde.
It seeks God because it loves Him,
Not to earn His rewards.

End.