HEAVENLY REWARDS
Last week I received a call from my niece
who was quite disturbed by something her
son learned in Sunday School. Apparently
the teacher told the class that variances
of rewards will be given to people in heaven.
My niece had never heard this before and
she thought everyone would be the same in
heaven with no variations or differences.
Many Christians have no knowledge about
this subject.
There are two basic schools of thought
about rewards in the Christian Church:
1. Heaven is a gift and you can't earn
it. It is your reward.
2. Heaven is earned by good works on this
earth. Our reward is heaven.
Because of these opposite beliefs, the
subject of earned rewards has been neglected
by the church for many years.
Revelation 22:12 is very clear, Jesus will
give to each according to their works, but
remember the Bible clearly teaches works
won't get us into heaven. Matthew 20:1-16
is the parable of the workers. They all
received the same wage, so doesn't that
mean that we will all reap the same reward
in heaven? No, it doesn't. The laborers
received the same wage that was Heaven but
another reward will be given for the way
we live our lives here on earth.
Some will make it to heaven by have earned
no additional rewards. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
Rewards will be given out at the Judgment
Seat of Christ or some call it the Bema
Seat. This takes place in Heaven along with
the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. In Luke
6:23 Jesus tells us there are rewards in
heaven. The sacrifices we make for Christ
NOW will be rewarded THEN.
"For the Son of Man will come in the
glory of His Father with His angels, and
then He will reward each according to his
works?" Matthew 16:27 Jesus tells us
that HE will reward us.
Although your eternal destination is based
on your belief, how you spend eternity is
based on your behavior while on earth.
Think of it this way...The way I live is
determining and impacting what will happen
after I die.
My eternal destination is determined by
what I believe
AND
my eternal compensation is determined by
how
I behave on earth.
God is a fair and just judge and tells
us in Galatians 6 that whatever a man sows
that will be also reap. There has to be
a difference between the double axe murderer
who repents on death row and people like
Martin Luther, Jon Wesley, or Bill Graham.
Each made heaven, but once we arrive in
that beautiful city the things done for
Jesus while on earth will make a difference
for eternity.
Our actions today significantly affect
our future. Some Christians shrug their
shoulders and say, "oh, well, I'm just
happy to be in heaven." I'm sorry,
but that isn't me. I'm a baby boomer who
likes to have the best, just ask my wife
she will tell you that is very true in my
life. I want to do my very best for Jesus
and if He is giving rewards I want to receive
them, how about you? While I was employed
by the Saginaw Police Department I worked
hard and was awarded two Meritorious Service
Awards, two Distinguished Service Awards,
and Policeman of the Year in 1985. I then
advanced in rank from a patrolman, detective,
sergeant, detective sergeant and was sent
to the FBI Academy and much more because
I applied myself and tried to be a policeman
our city could be proud of. If the City
of Saginaw recognizes a job well done, don't
you think our Heavenly Father will recognize
and reward a job well done? When a person
sacrifices for Christ and lives a disciplined
life here, is that it? Or will there be
a reward? What do you think? It does matter
what you think because that will affect
how you act, but whether you believe this
or not, God says it will happen and He will
reward His faithful followers.
God doesn't promise that work for Him now
will always result in gain now.
There are obstacles that cause today's
Christians to stumble over this truth.
1. Because we don't receive an instant
reward we must trust God and His Word, and
exercise our faith. All believers are at
different faith levels.
2. Because we live in an instant gratification
society it is difficult to sacrifice now
to receive the reward later.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God rewards
those who diligently seek Him. The rewards
come as we share of our time, love, skills,
finances, and abilities and as we forgive
and show compassion. We are rewarded as
we sacrifice for Him.
Your rewards will be with you for eternity.
Daniel 12:3
Jesus tells us in the parable of the Stewards
& the Minas, when the master comes those
who are working hard receive rewards.
God's reward for faithful servants is ruling
with Him in Eternity. Our purpose for working
is not to receive the rewards but because
we want to be about our Father's business
and see the Kingdom increase. We don't want
anyone to spend eternity in hell. The rewards
will come because God rewards faithfulness.
In Luke 12:33 Jesus told us to lay up treasurers
for ourselves in Heaven. Paul instructed
Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:18-19 to store up
good works for the future. II Timothy 4:6-8
shows that Paul knew he had a crown waiting
for him.
Have you heard the joke about never seeing
a hearse pulling a u-haul behind it? The
punch line is that you can't take it with
you. How true this is, but we do have "heavenly"
accounts in our names that are open and
waiting to receive the rewards that are
earned here and now.
This will take place in Heaven after the
Rapture at The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Look at II Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:10-12.
During this banquet we will be given our
rewards. It reminds me of the All Sports
Banquets I attended at Saginaw High School.
After a grueling season of Class A football
and varsity swimming, a banquet was held
where coaches handed out awards and varsity
letters to athletes who excelled. Not everyone
at the banquet received individual awards,
but everyone who had participated in a sport
was invited to enjoy the banquet and celebrate
with the other players. These were exiting
times and I was very proud. However, this
is nothing compared to the Marriage Supper
of the Lamb.
The table has been set and is waiting for
us!
This is not a possibility, it is a fact.
Believe this: you will be judged for everything
you have said or done with what God has
given
you since becoming a Christian.
Let this truth penetrate you and change
your life!
By: Donald H. Dinninger, Ph. D.
Old Town C.O.C. Missions Ministry
The goal of the Mission's Ministry at Old
Town C.O.C. is to have a strategic part in
fulfilling the great commission by reaching
the lost by showing god's love in our communities
and beyond..
Find out how you can get involved in a
missions trip this year.
