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Rewards in Heaven

by Elizabeth Marks  
12/15/2006 / Devotionals

Some time ago friend of mine told me she hoped there were varying degrees of rewards in heaven, for those who were more good than others. I wondered why she hoped that. Does she not believe God is fair? How could a good God, not be fair? Perhaps she doesnt understand the extent of Gods love for her for if she did, the idea of rewards becomes irrelevant Gods magnificent love is sufficient!!

What do you think? Are there different rewards or levels within the Kingdom of Heaven? Lets take a look at Gods Word. Jesus gave us a clue when he said the following in Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV 17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Did you notice verse 19? If someone breaks one of the commandments and teaches others to also, they are called least in the kingdom. Likewise, if someone does and teaches the commandments, they are called great in the kingdom. Jesus is addressing believers who have already put their trust in Him to save them. Its not a discussion of how one is saved, but rather one of rewards for the work we do here.

Interesting, I never noticed that before. Ive even quoted this verse before, but not in this context. Dont you love Gods Word? It reveals new levels of understanding each time you read it.

There are two other verses relating to rewards that come to mind:
Revelation 20:12 NKJV And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Here we have the topic of rewards based on our works. Whatever we did thats written in these books will be the basis of our rewards.

1 Corinthians 3:11-13 NKJV For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each ones work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each ones work, of what sort it is. The Day is the Great White Throne Judgment, where believers works are judged to see whether they receive a reward or not as recorded in the books mentioned in Revelation 20:12. As Paul describes in this verse, if you build with gold, silver or precious stone, when that work passes through the fire it will be refined and not destroyed therefore, a reward to the believer. On the other hand if your work was built with hay, wood or straw when it passes through the fire it is destroyed therefore, no reward, although you are still saved.

How do I know whether my work is built using gold vs hay? Im no authority here, but I would suspect that anything weve done from a pure motive, aligned with Gods will, prompted by His Spirit is probably a work built using gold. On the other hand, anything done out of selfishness, greedy for gain, manipulation, evil intents or our own will instead of Gods, that particular work is probably the wood, hay and straw type.

So, what do you think now after reviewing Gods Word? Are there different rewards in the kingdom of heaven? I would say so! How are your works? Are you checking them to see what type they are? If not, you might want to start now it could mean big rewards in heaven!

Copyright Elizabeth Marks, author of ThinkOnIt Devotions, has a heart for encouraging believers with God's Word. Please visit http://www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com for more devotions, bible studies, book reviews and more!

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