Why You Should Care More About Heavenly Rewards

Jesus expected His followers to be motivated to love God and love others. 

Surprisingly, Jesus also gave us something else to be motivated by: Greater treasure and reward on the other side of eternity: 

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20)

In the last 20 years of pastoring, I’ve received some questions about heavenly rewards and here is a brief compilation of the most common questions I’ve received on this topic: 

“What are heavenly rewards?” 

We can’t exactly pinpoint it. The New Testament repeatedly describes heavenly rewards as “crowns” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10; 2 Tim 4:8).

While the nature of these crowns as literal or symbolic may be up for debate, we can know what’s not up for debate: The excellence and goodness of these rewards. God has a towering track record of giving good gifts to His children. We can look forward to the future with anticipation knowing His trustworthy character.

“Isn’t it bad to be motivated by the concept of rewards?”

Not at all. The Bible treats heavenly rewards as a real, legitimate motivation. Paul the Apostle wrote:

“Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

Paul did not spiritualize away heavenly rewards by writing, “You should only be motivated by love for Jesus.” Paul held the same thinking Jesus had: Jesus’ followers are expected to take heavenly rewards seriously and should be motivated by it. 

“Will I be sad if I receive less heavenly rewards than another follower of Jesus?” 

Not one bit. Our minds and hearts will be so completely renewed on the other side of eternity that our joy will be multiplied by the rewards others receive alongside the very rewards we’ve received. We sinfully compare and envy on this side of eternity. We will outgrow these childish tendencies in our eternal state. 

The final question that must be asked: “Will I take heavenly rewards more seriously?” 

Systematic theologian Wayne Grudem wrote: 

“…in our own lives a heartfelt seeking of future heavenly reward would motivate us to work wholeheartedly for the Lord at whatever task he calls us to, whether great or small, paid or unpaid. It would also make us long for his approval rather than for wealth or success. It would motivate us to work at building up the church on the one foundation, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:10–15).”

Heavenly rewards help us to frame all of life as that which can count for the glory of God. Every thought we hold, every word we utter, and ever act (private or public) can be leveraged for the glory of God and for more heavenly rewards. 

I find this kind of life to be an exciting invitation for adventure - a life where we can make spiritual investments for future gain. It makes me want to live with the intensity once articulated by the prominent 18th-century American Puritan theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards who wrote:

"Resolved, to endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of.”

Love God, love others, and run for heavenly rewards.