"He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and  honor." Proverbs 21:21

Scripture has much to say of those who follow righteousness, so let's look once more to see what the Word has to say to us.

"The labor of the righteous leads to life." Proverbs 10:16

"But to him who sows righteousness will be a sure reward.
As righteousness leads to life." Proverbs 11:18b-19a

The reward of the righteous is described as:
Sure as we see in Proverbs 11:18a above.

The reward is full:
Boaz speaking to Ruth,
"The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." Ruth 2:12

The reward is great:
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount tells us, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

The reward is open:
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 that it is God who openly rewards our acts that are done in secret before Him.
"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."  Vs. 3-4

After telling how hypocrites pray, Jesus says, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Vs. 6

Then concerning fasting, Jesus says in Vs. 17-18, "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Here are just some of the ways rewards are obtained -- Through keeping God's commandments:
Psalm 19:7-10 is telling of the perfection of the Lord's law and Vs.11 concludes with, "...And in keeping them there is great reward."

By fearing the Lord's commandments:
"Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded." Proverbs 13:13 The Amplified Bible

By sowing righteousness as seen above, Proverbs 11:18.

By feeding the enemy:
Proverbs 25 speaks of different relationships -- even enemies are included:
"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22 (Just a thought, but in doing so perhaps, "...they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16)

In faithful service (in all we do, not only 'church' related actions):
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" Colossians 3:23-24

By seeking God diligently:
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Jesus explaining to His disciples the parable of the tares, is speaking of what will take place at the 'end of the age' in Matthew 13:36-43. Vs. 41-43
says:
"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Read the whole
scenario)

How blessed are the upright who walk in the Spirit; who are lead and guided by the Spirit of truth. Thank You Lord for the wonderful gift of Your Holy Spirit!
Amen