The Gospels, particularly Matthew and Luke, include several examples of Jesus teaching about heavenly rewards, but not in the sense of earning extra rewards. The great reward, heaven, is absolute. The idea of greater rewards among those blessed in the Kingdom works against the perspective of the text.
Jesus contrasts the values of his kingdom over the values of the kingdom of this world. Jesus, of course, is not suggesting that simply selling everything and giving the money to the poor earns someone eternal life. The reward is the kingdom of heaven itself. The perfection Jesus offers is the eschatological blessing extended to citizens of the kingdom. Those who pursue the kingdom life Jesus envisions are motivated by what they have received by promise, not for some extra reward they might earn.
In the Parable of the Talents, one servant is given five talents, another two, and another one, each according to his ability Matt — You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. His talent is given to the one who has ten. The second servant is left out in the redistribution. True followers of Jesus will be rewarded; they will receive the inheritance Jesus promised. But works-based levels of heavenly reward are not the focus of the parable.
Furthermore, the parables on either side—The Ten Virgins —13 and The Sheep and the Goats —46 —confirm this conclusion. In fact, if you read the parable in the context of Matthew Chapter 19, you can easily see all reward in Heaven will not be the same. In light of this statement, any attempt to read the parable of the vineyard and conclude reward in Heaven will be equal for everyone, is simply an inaccurate interpretation of the parable.
Orthodox Christianity does teach faith alone saves us. But Christianity also teaches our salvation is not the same as our reward. We serve an equitable and fair King, who loves us and is also just and holy.
Grace alone brings us into the kingdom. But there is plenty of Scripture suggesting there is a reward awaiting us in Heaven beyond our Salvation, and this reward will be distributed to us on the basis of our obedience and love for God demonstrated in our mortal lives.
If this is true, and our experience of joy can be thought of as a reward, then it is also clear there are differing degrees of reward in Heaven. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men.
Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. God has rewards waiting for us, and much of this sermon from Jesus is an admonition for us not to forsake our heavenly reward by seeking worldly rewards and acknowledgment.
This statement is so clear and direct it can hardly be argued. Think about it for a minute. If Jesus is not telling us God dispenses fair and just rewards and punishments in the next life, what in the world does this passage mean? To further advance the point, Jesus used a famous parable to illustrate this for his followers: Matthew For it the kingdom of heaven is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them.
And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.
In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.
Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents. If you do a lot with what God has given you; you will get a greater reward in Heaven. When writing to the believers in Rome, he used language very similar to the language used by Jesus: Romans But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds… Since we know from the scriptures God does not render salvation according to our deeds, what is it He is rendering?
He is rendering reward according to our deeds. This means as our deeds increase, our reward increases as well. Look at what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. He clearly told them their Salvation was built on Christ alone, but in addition to this, each of us, as saved Christians, also builds on this foundation of Salvation resulting in our reward in Heaven: 1 Corinthians For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Paul clearly proclaims rewards are waiting for us as saved Christians. But he is also clear about the fact some of us will receive more reward than others.
Some will work here on earth to create something persevering and as a result will obtain an enduring reward in Heaven. Even the Old Testament speaks of this truth. And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? Jesus, Paul and Solomon are simply reflecting the heart of God when they tell us we will be saved by His work and rewarded by our work.
This comparison tells us something about how we can earn a reward. It appears our effort to bring people to the truth about God and tell them about His free gift of Salvation is rewarded by God in the next life. Paul understood this. He expected heavenly reward.
But he made it clear to the Thessalonians they were the reason why he expected this reward: 1 Thessalonians For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
For you are our glory and joy. Paul knew his work here on earth was important because it produced believers who would then someday join him in Heaven. Paul understood what Daniel taught hundreds of years before: the more people you bring to Heaven, the greater your reward in Heaven will be. We are talking about the reward earned by those who are already saved freely by God.
What kind of reward might we receive based on our work here on earth? This is actually a very tough question to answer, as the Bible does not give us the clarity we might like on this issue. But there are several clues we can work from. So we know whatever it is God gives us, it will be something resulting in great joy. Maybe it will be different for each of us, who knows?
But there is a reason to believe God has a particular way of rewarding his beloved. It appears God enjoys rewarding his Children with increased and valuable roles of responsibility! Look at the Apostles for a minute. Jesus told them their reward would be increased and more powerful responsibilities.
The scripture says that godly sorrows bring repentance not judgement. Whatever things are holy, truth, good, of good report among others think on them. Fix your eyes on things that pleases God not yourself or your fresh. Run away from men pleasing ministers and gospels and go for the true doctrine. In so doing, you will find peace and joy that will sustain you in the love of Christ. Finally, always seek to obey God's words and commandments as this is the genuine expressions of our love for Christ.
Christ said, if you love me, keep my commandments. I am confused at the rewards aspect of the result of works for one that is saved. Not that I wouldn't accept them, but what is the purpose of the rewards in Heaven? In my mind, Heaven and eyernal life with God is reward enough.
Not to say that we shouldn't exercise our faith to do good works for the sake of bringing others to His kingdom and loving others, even our enemies, so they can see God in us and hopefully plant seeds. But again, what will we do with these rewards? It seems to me a kind of heirarchy system where some will be in Heaven at a higher level than others.
Is this really what God wants for us? Could it be possible we might be missing something? I have prayed about this and am truly seeking the view of others and not with the intention to promote confusion or apostasy. Any input? Thanks and love.
We throw our crowns which are rewards God is a lover and a God of pleasure - He created it! Why get all spiritual and say we don't need recognition, that God is glad to give Saying we don't need reward is the same as saying we don't need his love It brings pleasure to God to reward us. I don't see what's the problem with that.
We don't understand fully about heaven and eternal life But Jesus clearly said that God will acknowledge our good works About higher levels I think that God always has structures of authority rulers of people, princes, kings, etc in place.
I don't see why in a future heavenly city he shouldn't appoint certain people to have authoritiy over others. That's how we function as a society I wonder if it will be similar in heaven with Christ.
How much controversy this stirred up! One great advantage I had as a child was to let the bible tell me instead of me trying to tell the bible. It says Jesus comes bringing his rewards. Any questions? While my motivation to serve and do good works is Love for my Savior it seams rather rude to not want the rewards He has prepared for me. There also appears to be some confusion that Salvation is a free gift, but rewards are given by Jesus for the Good works we will do. Paul says in 1 Corinthians But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.
The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. I am confused. How do we give our lives over to God? If I had two job offers, how would I know which one God wanted me to take? Would I pray and then feel the Holy Spirit directing me or something? Somebody, please reply soon! Dear Lily. You can give your life over to him by simply believing in him and what he tells us! You then jus have a one on one talk with him and promise to obey him and live for him!
Gods really cool to believe in and he really loves you. He knows your not perfect and will forgive you for your mistakes just always try to best! And with the jobs.
If you have two great job offers God blessed you with both and the option to choose : do what's best! He wants the best for you and wants you to Live n be happy! My mom always says the Lord usually speaks through three things: Inner peace regarding one offer over the other, His Word, and your spiritual family's advice. Ask Him which offer might be more influential for his Kingdom.
He also gives us options to choose from and sometimes neither one is wrong. Lastly, you can also choose based on what you would enjoy most. He is good and wants us to ude our strengths and enjoy work. Giving our lives to God is a fruit of first having the knowledge and understanding of who God is. If you understand God as the Author of life, who says in Jeremiah, "I knew you before l formed you", would you not want such a God to be the one who directs your ways?
As for how He does that, Depends on your faith coz He surely does have strange ways of communicating with us all, and we hear Him differently. Just act "stupid" and ask and acknowledge God in everything that you do or happens in your life and you will surely hear Him in your conscience, directing your ways. I hope it was helpful, God bless you. He will not always tell us point blank which choice to make, sometimes but not always.
If there was a way He absolutely wanted you to go, He is perfectly capable of letting you know. Surrendering is saying, not my will option A be done Lord, but Yours option B. In all decision making and things of life, every day our heart desires for Him to be glorified by our lives, for Him to find pleasure in us, to commune with Him in His presence.
Even when we encounter trials and suffering, we still know He is leading us and we are in his will. I hope this helps you!
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