What Jesus says about rewards?
Jesus Christ has been given the authority to judge all the earth (Romans 14:9-11; Philippians 2:9-11). Although His judgment is already working in our lives, there is a future, final judgment when Christ returns (25:31-46) and everyone’s life is reviewed and evaluated. This will not be confined to unbelievers; Christians too will face a judgment. Their eternal destiny is secure, but Jesus will look at how they handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities in order to determine their heavenly rewards. At the time of judgment, God will deliver the righteous and condemn the wicked.
ETERNITY’S VALUES
When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. What we accumulate on earth has no value in purchasing eternal life. Yet how willing we are to sell our eternal values short for earthly security. How foolish to seek worldly comfort and wealth and ignore the issue of our soul’s eternal salvation.
How important would a lifetime of pleasure seem when compared to an eternity separated from God and all the blessings of life with him? Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn us entrance into heaven. Evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing.
Jesus had much to say about rewards.
“Great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:12
When we are persecuted and remain faithful, our reward in heaven is being with God himself.
“They have received their reward in full… Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:2, 4
Empty acts done for worldly recognition receive human praise, but that is the only reward they get. The acts that God rewards are those done with goodness and kindness as the only motives.
“Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” Matthew 10:41
Anyone who helps or even shows hospitality to a Christian brother or sister (particularly a Christian worker) will reap the benefit of eternal life.
“Then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:27
Jesus Christ will judge each person’s life. As we are reviewed and evaluated for how we utilized the resources God has given us, we will be rewarded. This is not something we can earn, but a by-product of faithful obedience.
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29
God rewards according to His justice. We who believe will receive eternal life, and it will mean more to us than any sacrifice for the gospel that we made on earth.
“Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” Matthew 20:15
In this parable, Jesus taught that God Himself decides the reward He will give.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34
We should love and serve everyone we can, especially the needy people in Christ’s church. Our reward is God Himself and eternal life with Him.
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