Rewards in Heaven!

It is really amazing to study the Word of God and find out how much the Lord loves and has provided for His children or we believers. Gaining revelation of the Word is always exciting. God has so much planned for us! We are glad you are here to travel this journey with us. May the Holy Spirit speak to your heart, mind and spirit today. Eric

In our society today, we constantly hear of 'rewards' or ‘loyalty’ programs. We get 'cash back' on credit card expenditures, airlines offer reduced flight costs for frequent fliers, department stores give percentages off for more purchases and schools have monthly rewards for students who exhibit positive behavior. In the work place, we might be rewarded for doing a good job by receiving a promotion, a bonus or certificate. In sports, our winning team members are awarded trophies or ribbons. Participants at county fairs compete for ribbons or monetary awards given for the best pet, pies, art work, etcetera. We all have a mindset that appreciates an acknowledgement, recognition or commendation for a job well done. It does our hearts good to hear of someone being acknowledged for a heroic act. To receive positive recognition can be a good thing. It gives us incentive to keep working hard, to keep improving and to be steadfast in our work, service or commitment to our job, family, or team. To many, those rewards or awards become their special 'treasures.' Some of the things people treasure the most today are money, homes, cars, jewelry and furniture, or in other words, their material possessions.

However, what we want to impress upon you today is that even though earthly rewards and treasures can be positive - they are all temporary. In fact, Matthew 6:19 and 20 (ESV) instructs us, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." We see in verse 20 that we are to 'lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven! What exactly does that mean and how do we accomplish it?

Earthly rewards are given to express recognition and appreciation for what we have done, but heavenly rewards are given simply for the things we do in obedience to God's will. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) reads, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Part 'c' of that verse reveals, "He rewards those who 'earnestly seek' Him. “ To 'earnestly seek' God is "characterized by a sincere and persistent pursuit of God." (Bible Hub Study Bible). Misthapodotes, the Greek word translated 'rewards' is defined as "giving rewards in keeping with His own values. These rewards are not necessarily material, they include spiritual blessings such as: peace, wisdom and eternal life." (HELPSWord-studies).

Sad to say, that even some of those who call themselves 'Christians' have lost sight of the expectation of the Lord for His people to live a holy life. They have gotten caught-up in a desire to gain as many riches as possible or attain wealth to a point of setting those goals as the first priority in their life.

Scripture reveals the one who lives in opposition to God's laws and principles earns an "empty wage". Any gain they achieve will be worthless and unsatisfying. However, the one who lives in obedience to God's commands and principles will reap a "true reward." The 'true reward' is genuine and lasting. You see, our most valuable reward or treasure is found in "spiritual fulfillment and eternal life with God." (Proverbs 11:18 ESV).

Colossians 3:23 and 24 (NIV) instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." The phrase 'whatever you do' applies to all aspects of your life. We are to do everything for the glory of God. (That could mean the way you clean your house, do your job at your place of employment, sing at church, drive your car, converse with your difficult neighbor...). Believers, we need to realize that everything we do should be seen as an opportunity to serve God. Then, in our doing those things well, we will bring honor to Him.

In our relationship with God, we will receive an inheritance as our reward from Him.

Our heavenly rewards are spiritual and eternal. We will receive them from the Lord for our faithfulness. The Lord rewards us for doing those things He instructs us to do in His Word.

We see an example of this in Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV), "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." If you make a show of living a righteous life and seek human honor or recognition for those things you do, you will have no reward from God.

God searches our hearts and our intentions over outward appearances. In Jesus' eyes, the poor widow who placed two small copper coins in the offering box gave more than any of the rich who made a show of placing a lot of money in the box. (Luke 21:1-3).

Then, we read in Matthew 15:8 and 18 (BSB), "These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me...18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man." I will say it again, 'God searches our hearts and intentions over outward appearances.'

As a believer, we will be held accountable to God for every action, thought, word spoken or decision made. (Romans 14:12; Matthew 12:36,37).

Matthew 10:42 reveals if anyone gives even a cup of water because he is My disciple - he will never lose his reward. Not only do small and seemingly insignificant acts hold great value in God's eyes, those things will be remembered in eternity. That is amazing!

It is important for us to note that at the time of the final judgment, every man will be held accountable and take personal responsibility for what he has done. (Matthew 16:27). That means 'you' cannot blame anyone for your anger or unforgiveness toward others who might have done you wrong. You cannot blame the choices 'you' made on anyone other than your self, no matter what you were facing or going through.

Psalm 62:11 and 12 (BSB) reads, "God has spoken once; I have heard this twice; that power belongs to God. 12 and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds. “

Every action, behavior and word matters because God sees and will settle accounts.

When we see the Lord's revelation of the same truth repeated in the Scriptures, it indicates the weight and importance of that truth. Look at what Revelation 22:12 (BSB) reveals, "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done." the Greek word idou, translated 'behold' is a call to attention to what follows. It is a call to remain vigilant. What are we to be vigilant for? The fact that Jesus is coming soon and everyone will be judged. Understand, that judgement for the believer will be a receiving of your reward! Faithfulness is never overlooked!

Proverbs 19:17 (BSB) reads, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." God is faithful and will repay kindness. His repayment could come as a material, spiritual or eternal reward. It is His choice!

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV) instructs, " For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames." The foundation of our Christian faith is Jesus Christ and that foundation is not subject to change. He is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. (Ephesians 2:20). Our building on the foundation represents the spiritual growth of us as individuals and the church. The gold, silver and precious stones symbolize works of enduring quality. (That which takes place in alignment with the Word and will of God, for which we would receive a reward). The wood, hay or straw would be works that are worldly, superficial and don't have spiritual value so as to endure God's refining fire judgment. We would suffer loss although we would still be saved. Our works will be judged and rewarded after being tested by fire.

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Some of our rewards will be given because of who we are in Christ. (Romans 8:17).

Other’s rewards will be given in response to the works or labor they have done, as unto Jesus.

2 John 1:8 gives us this warning (NIV), "Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully." 1 Timothy 1:19 (NIV) reads, "holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.” Paraphrasing Paul, I would say, "Do not shipwreck your faith!"

Heavenly rewards will be entirely satisfying. Psalm 16:11 reveals this magnificent truth, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." "The 'path of life' is the way of righteousness and salvation which God reveals to His people." (Bible Hub Study Bible). Take note of the words, 'fill' me with joy, and 'eternal' pleasures! The phrase “in your presence” means, 'face.' Hallelujah! We will be in His presence and see Him face to face! The life, joy, pleasures and being in His presence are all rewards He will pour out on His people! What a blessing! We really cannot fully imagine what it will be like to enter into His presence. We do know though that we will be 'home!'

I really appreciate gotquestions.org's exposition on heavenly rewards, and although a bit long, I want to share it with you. "The rewards we gain in heaven are not like the rewards here on earth. We tend to think in material terms - mansions, jewels, etc. But, these are only representations of the true rewards we gain in heaven. A child who wins a spelling bee treasures the trophy he receives, not for the sake of the trophy itself, but for what that trophy means. Likewise, any rewards or honor we gain in heaven will be precious to us because they carry the weight and meaning of our relationship with God - and because they remind us of what He did and accomplished through us by our obedience on earth.

In this way, rewards in heaven glorify God and provide us with joy, peace and wonder as we consider God's work in us and through us. The closer we were to God during this life, the more centered on Him and aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for Him and His mercy, the more there will be to celebrate. We are like characters in a story who suffer doubt, loss and fear, wondering if we will ever really have our hearts desire. When the happy ending comes and desire is fulfilled, there comes a completion. The story would not be satisfying without that completion. Rewards in heaven are the completion of our earthly story, and those rewards will be eternally satisfying.”

The best rewards ever will be our being in His presence and hearing Him speak to us, "Well done good and faithful servant!"

Scriptures were taken from:

ESV English Standard Version

NIV New International Version

BSB Berean Standard Bible