Rewards play an important role in our earthly pilgrimage. In school there are rewards! In public life there are rewards!
But none of this rewards are in any way like the rewards that the Lord presents to His people.
We are considering the words of Christ as He explains to the righteous why He is rewarding them so.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," verse 40. The importance of such actions is seen in the reward they receive!
This is how we ought to care for each other! The importance of acting kindly toward others is seen in the reward that is given those Christians who show such kindness.
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," Gal 6:2.
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," Gal 5:14.
"If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him,"
Exodus 23:5.
"If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well," James 2:8.
What a glorious title is here given to this law. It is the 'Royal Law'! It has the King's signature upon it.