“If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner” (Proverbs 11:31).
Some mistakenly think that there is only one real reason for living righteously. As they see it, to avoid hell and enjoy heaven is the only valid argument that can be made for living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. This proverb as well as the rest of the Scriptures disagree. There is heaven, yes, but there is much, much more.
Jesus—the Good Shepherd—came to bring life, the abundant life, for His sheep (John 10:10). Being in Christ now is much, much better than any life lived outside of His flock and fold. Living a life abundantly blessed with the fruit of the Spirit (i.e., love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—Gal. 5:22-23) is vastly superior to a life of ungodliness and sin. Being a saint in Christ where all spiritual blessings are found (Eph. 1:3) is far superior to being a spiritually bankrupt sinner.
God certainly will recompense the righteous and the ungodly when this life is over, but He also recompenses the saint and sinner on earth. In both spheres of human existence, being righteous is the only wise choice there is.
