"Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

(1) Everyone wants a good and happy future.

All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” (Blaise Pascal)

(2) We are all banking on someone, or something, to bring us this good and happy future.

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1)

You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess. (Deut. 5:33)

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (Joshua 1:8)

God’s commands, statutes, precepts, and ordinances “are more desirable than gold, yea, than much pure gold; Sweeter also are they than honey, than honey from the comb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)

“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you;
O Israel, if you would listen to Me!

“Let there be no strange god among you;
Nor shall you worship any foreign god.

“I, the Lord, am your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

But My people did not listen to My voice,
And Israel did not obey Me.

“So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.

Oh that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!

"I would quickly subdue their enemies
And turn My hand against their adversaries

"Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him,
And their time of punishment would be forever."

But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” (Psalm 81:8-16)

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)

Noah - He banked on God and prepared an ark for the salvation of his household. He became an heir of righteousness.

Abraham - He went out from his home when God called him because “he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” He “[desired] a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”

Moses - He chose “to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time. He considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”

Rahab - She “did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.”

We are told that “[w]omen received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection.” That is, they entered into suffering so that they could obtain something better.

Financial security:
Keep yourselves free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6)

Daily work:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Not getting even with others:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)

If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. (C.S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory”)