Peter once asked Jesus, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27). Some people today might ask the same thing. We have given up a lot — careers, families, jobs, status, pride — in our spiritual journey. Is it worth it? What shall we have? Is there some sort of reward in store for us?
Our labors and sacrifices are not in vain. Our efforts will be rewarded — even if they were based on a misunderstanding-sometimes we blow it; doing things in the flesh.
But whenever our motive is right (matter of the heart's intent)— when our labor and sacrifice are for Jesus — we will be rewarded. Scripture has something to say about rewards. God knows that we ask the question (wonder) and, in this case, we need an answer. He inspired Scripture His disciples to talk about rewards, and I am confident that when God promises a reward, we will find it extremely rewarding — far above what we could even think or ask (Ephesians 3:20).
Rewards both now and forever
Let’s begin by noting the way that Jesus answered Peter’s question:
"And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (verses 28-29)
The Gospel of Mark shows that Jesus is talking about two time periods:
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30)
God will reward us generously — but Jesus also warns us that this life is not a life of physical luxury. We will have persecutions, trials and sufferings in this life. But the blessings outweigh the difficulties by a hundred-to-one ! Whatever sacrifices we make will be richly compensated. The Christian life is certainly “worth it.”
Jesus is not promising to give 100 fields to everyone who gave up a farm to follow him. He is not promising to give 100 mothers. He is not promising to make everyone wealthy. He is not talking in literal terms. He means that the things we receive in the next life will be 100 times as valuable as the things we give up in this life — as measured by real value, eternal value, not by temporary fads about physical things.
Even our trials have spiritual value to our benefit (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4 with 1 Peter 1:7).
I doubt that the disciples understood what Jesus was saying. They were still thinking in terms of a physical kingdom that would soon bring earthly freedom and power to the people of Israel (Acts 1:6).
Parable of Reward
In the parable of sheep and goats, the faithful are allowed to inherit a kingdom (verse 34). In the parable of the servants, the faithful servant is rewarded by being put in charge of all the master’s possessions (Luke 12:42-44). In the parables of the pounds, the trustworthy servants were given authority over cities (Luke 19:16-19). Jesus promised the 12 disciples authority over the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Members of the church in Thyatira were promised authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26-27).
Jesus advised his disciples to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21). By this, He implied that what we do in this life will be rewarded in the future — but what sort of reward is it? What good is a treasure when there is nothing to buy? When streets are made of gold, what will be the value of gold?
In the resurrection, we will not need physical things. When we think of eternal rewards, we should think primarily about spiritual rewards, not physical things that will pass away. But the problem is that we do not have the vocabulary to describe details of an existence we have never experienced. So we need to use words based on the physical world when we attempt to describe what the spiritual is like.
Our eternal reward will be like a treasure. In some respects, it will be like inheriting a kingdom. In some way, it will be like being given all our Master’s possessions. It will be similar to having a vineyard to take care of on behalf of the Master. It will be like having responsibility over cities. It will be like a wedding banquet when we share in our Master’s happiness. It is like all of these things, and much more.
Our spiritual blessings will be far better than the physical things we know in this life. Our eternity in God’s presence will be much more glorious and joyful than physical rewards. All physical things, no matter how beautiful, enjoyable or valuable, are only weak shadows of infinitely better Heavenly rewards.
Eternal joy with God
The Psalmist put it this way: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11). John described it as a time when “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). Everyone will be fully happy. There will be no dissatisfaction. No one will be able to think of even a tiny way in which things could be better. We will have reached the purpose for which God has made us.
1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
Isaiah described some of this joy when he predicted a nation returning to its land: “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10). We will be in the presence of God, and we will be happier than we have ever been. This is what Christianity has traditionally tried to convey by the concept of “going to heaven.”
Is it wrong to want a reward?
Some critics of Christianity have ridiculed the concept of Heaven as “pie in the sky” — but ridicule is not a logical argument. The real question is, Is there a reward, or not? If there is a reward in Heaven, then it is not ridiculous to hope to enjoy it. If we will be rewarded, it is ridiculous not to want it.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
Belief in rewards is part of the Christian faith. Nevertheless, some people think that it is somehow demeaning or less than honorable for Christians to want to be rewarded for their labors. They think that Christians should serve with a motive of love, expecting no reward for their labors. But that is not the complete message of the Bible. In addition to the free gift of salvation by grace through faith, the Bible does promise rewards for God’s people, and it is not wrong to desire those promises of God.
Yes, we are to serve God from the motivation of love and not as hirelings who work only to be paid. However, Scripture does speak of rewards, and assures us that we will be rewarded. It is honorable for us to believe in God’s promises and to find them motivating. Rewards are not the only motive of the redeemed children of God, but it is part of the package God has given us.
When life becomes difficult, it is helpful for us to remember that there is another life, in which we will be rewarded. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19). Paul knew that the future life would make his sacrifices worthwhile. He gave up temporary pleasures to seek better, longer-lasting pleasures in Christ (Philippians 3:8).
Paul used the language of “gain” (Philippians 1:21; 1 Timothy 3:13; 6:6; cf. Hebrews 11:35). He knew that his future life would be much better than the persecutions of this life. Jesus was also mindful of the benefits of His own sacrifice, and He was willing to endure the cross because He saw great joy on the other side (Hebrews 12:2).
When Jesus counseled us to lay up for ourselves treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20), He was not against investing — He was against bad investments. Do not invest in temporary rewards, but invest in Heavenly rewards that will last forever. “Great is your reward in heaven” (Ref. Matthew 5:12). “The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hid in a field” (Ref. Matthew 13:44).
God has prepared something wonderfully good for us, and we will find it to be extremely enjoyable. It is right for us to eagerly look forward to these great blessings, and when we count the cost of following Jesus, it is also right for us to count the blessings and rewards promised for us.
“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” (Ephesians 6:8). “And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24). “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” (2 John 8).
Exceedingly great rewards
What God has in store for us is beyond our ability to imagine. Even in this life, the love of God is beyond our ability to understand (Ref. Ephesians 3:19). The peace of God is beyond our comprehension (Philippians 4:7), and His joy is beyond our ability to put into words (1 Peter 1:8). How much more, then, is it impossible to describe how good it will be to live with God forever?
The disciples didn't give us many details. But one thing we know for certain — it is going to be the most wonderful experience we have ever had. It is better than the most beautiful paintings, better than the most delicious food, better than the most exciting sport, better than the best feelings and experiences we have ever had. It is better than anything on earth. It is going to be a tremendous reward!
God is generous! We have been given exceedingly great and precious promises — and the privilege of sharing this wonderful news with others. What joy should fill our hearts! In the words of 1 Peter 1:3-9:
"Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls."
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
We have much to be thankful for, much to rejoice about, much to celebrate!
