In today’s world, the word “work” is closely associated with “payment.” A person works in order to be paid. An employee serves an employer, and in return receives wages.

However, when we speak about the work of God, the perspective changes. This is not merely a written contract on paper; it is a covenant of the heart between a person and God.

Jesus Himself addressed this when He gave instructions to His disciples. In Luke 10:7, it is written: “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

Here, Jesus was not speaking about a conventional salary. Rather, He was emphasizing the value of honoring those who dedicate themselves to God’s work.

The disciples were to remain where they were welcomed and live on what was provided to them, because “the worker deserves his wages.” In other words, there is a rightful provision for those who serve in God’s ministry.

But this is where the question arises: Where does the reward of God’s servant truly come from? From people, or from God? When someone serves God with their heart set primarily on money, they alter the covenant. They are no longer serving God—they are serving income.

The Apostle Paul explained this clearly in Romans 4:4: “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.”

When payment becomes an obligation, grace disappears. The work of God is not a business venture. If someone preaches, sings, or plays music merely for profit, they resemble a merchant selling the Word of God. At that point, it is no longer a covenant of serving God, but an agreement for personal gain.

This does not mean that a worker should not be compensated. Not at all. In church gatherings, pastors, singers, instrumentalists, and even security personnel deserve fair compensation for their service. The difference lies here: payment must not be the goal. The goal is to serve God; compensation should be a result, not the motivation.

Paul continues in Romans 4:5: “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

This shows that faith surpasses works. A person may preach eloquently, sing beautifully, or play skillfully. But God does not look only at talent—He looks at the heart. He examines the motive behind the action. Who are you doing it for? What are you trusting in?

There are times when someone plays music in church simply because they are paid. That person becomes an employee of the church, not necessarily a servant of God. If you sing for the sake of a paycheck, you have already received your reward from those who paid you—not from God.

But there is another kind of servant—one who works because God has placed that calling in their heart. Such a person continues whether or not they are paid. And even when they are compensated, it does not change their purpose. That is a true covenant.

God looks at the heart. He sees what keeps you awake at night, what compels you to speak, to sing, to serve. He sees where your faith is anchored. The work of God is not about impressing people—it is about living before God.

That is why the covenant between a worker and God is not a salary agreement; it is a covenant of service. A person must work knowing that everything they do is recorded by God. Even if the world does not reward them, God never fails to reward. The time will come when the true reward will be given—not as a debt owed, but as a blessing.

This principle applies to everyone. Whether you are a businessperson, a leader, a teacher, or anyone who faithfully fulfills their responsibilities, do it as unto God. Even if you receive a salary, if you work with integrity and without deceit, you are serving in God’s work. The salary is for your job—but God also has His reward.

In conclusion, Pastor Christian Gisanura emphasized that the covenant between a worker and God is not measured in money, but in faith. The work is ours; the reward belongs to God.

If we focus on the reward, we will fail. But if we focus on the work and on righteousness, God will reward us in His perfect time. For indeed, the worker deserves wages—but the true reward comes from God, not from people.