I never understood this phrase. What does it mean to "build up your rewards in heaven"? Does it mean that some people get a better version of heaven because they were better Christians? Also, how is this not just another form of greed?
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
Build up your rewards in heaven
- Thread starter DarkProphet
- Start date
Our works will be judged. The ones that survive (most likely we had no selfish motives for them) will earn us rewards. We will then lay those rewards at the feet of Jesus out of gratitude for what He did.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
For ninety-nine percent of the people, getting there will be the big thing. For those who have been walking the walk, and living the truth, those rewards will be more responsibility, which they welcome. Scripture talks about Kings, Priests, Judges, and other positions within His Kingdom which we will be filling. Not everyone one wants those responsibilities, but others do. They are rewarded when they understand God's definition, not man's way. One of the keys is when Yeshua said "servant of all" It is the way to understand the responsibility that God's kingdom operates under. So if that is the kind of reward you are looking for. Then God will teach you how to be without guile.
Upvote
0
Hi Dark Prophet, so what is the idea of "build up your rewards in heaven?"
If a grandmother who prayed for her grandchildren every day of her life got to greet one of her grandchildren in heaven, would that be a reward? If when a person arrived in heaven, Jesus said, welcome home faithful servant, would that be a reward.
What if I worked hard every day but the effect of my effort hindered the ministry of Christ, would that be worthy of a reward?
How do we hasten the day of the Lord's return. If by our life testimony we impact the life of a silent observer, would that be worthy of a reward. Perhaps the reward is simply the eternal joy of sharing the kingdom with those who helped us enter and those we helped to enter, as we walked humbly with our Lord.
If a grandmother who prayed for her grandchildren every day of her life got to greet one of her grandchildren in heaven, would that be a reward? If when a person arrived in heaven, Jesus said, welcome home faithful servant, would that be a reward.
What if I worked hard every day but the effect of my effort hindered the ministry of Christ, would that be worthy of a reward?
How do we hasten the day of the Lord's return. If by our life testimony we impact the life of a silent observer, would that be worthy of a reward. Perhaps the reward is simply the eternal joy of sharing the kingdom with those who helped us enter and those we helped to enter, as we walked humbly with our Lord.
Upvote
0
- Jan 27, 2004
- 46,127
- 4,552
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
It's based on the following passages:
1 Cor. 3:10-5
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
Rev. 22:12,13
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
There are also five crowns that will be given in heaven:
1. The crown of Life
2. The crown of Righteousness
3. The crown of Glory
4. The crown of Rejoicing
5. The Incorruptible crown
We will receive rewards and crowns in heaven, but I don't think we should be seeking after these crowns, they should just be a result of our desire to follow Christ and be obedient to Him. The only reason that we are able to receive rewards and crowns is because of the influence that Jesus has on our life.
1 Cor. 3:10-5
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
Rev. 22:12,13
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
There are also five crowns that will be given in heaven:
1. The crown of Life
2. The crown of Righteousness
3. The crown of Glory
4. The crown of Rejoicing
5. The Incorruptible crown
We will receive rewards and crowns in heaven, but I don't think we should be seeking after these crowns, they should just be a result of our desire to follow Christ and be obedient to Him. The only reason that we are able to receive rewards and crowns is because of the influence that Jesus has on our life.
Upvote
0
drich0150
Regular Member
- Mar 16, 2008
- 6,407
- 437
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
Good question.
Greed is the taking or accumulating a Large portion of our love and placing it in something other than God.
We can greedily horde, and desire God all we want. It is when we take this holy desire and place it anywhere other than the creator, that makes this activity sinful.
I believe it to be a more complete understanding of Heaven/God. Not necessarily a bigger house in Heaven.
Upvote
0
All our blessings are from God... and the biggest blessing one can ask for is a closer seat nearer to God.
Upvote
0
Hi Darkprophet, here is a blurb on rewards.
CROWNS OR WREATHS
New Testament writers refer to crowns or wreaths several times. Christ’s crown of thorns, and the crowns like gold of the Elders, or Christ’s golden crown as King, seem to have a straightforward meaning So lets just look at the other eight times crowns or wreaths are mentioned and see if we can discern what is being said.
Paul mentions crowns or wreaths 5 times (1 Cor. 9:25; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 2:5, 4:8) and he seems to use an illustration of a victor’s wreath in a game or race as a metaphor for a “reward” associated with steadfast love and service to Christ. Those who plays by the rules and win receive a “Victor’s crown” (2 Timothy 2:5). Next, we will receive a “crown of righteousness” when we meet Jesus “on that day.” So the reward is fellowship with God, through Christ, rather than separation and judgment of the lost (2 Timothy 4:8).
But Paul speaks of a different reward, up and above eternal life, in several passages. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul refers to the fact our “crown” will last forever. Well certainly the crown of righteousness, eternal life with our Holy God rather than separation because of unrighteousness, lasts forever. But is that the crown or wreath Paul is referring to? Paul says he needs to exercise self-control, walk the talk, or he will be “disqualified” and thus not receive what he would have received if he had played by the rules. A preacher that is divorced twice has a hard time teaching love honor and obey till death do us part. So what would Paul lose if he could no long proclaim the gospel?
In Philippians 4:1, we see that Paul’s joy and crown are Paul’s brothers (and sisters) in Christ. So Paul’s reward, his “crown of rejoicing” is fellowship with other believers, folks he helped enter the kingdom. And if he was disqualified from doing that, helping others enter the kingdom, he would not receive as large a crown or there would be fewer jewels in the crown. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, Paul clearly explains that fellow believers are his crown of glory. Those that have eternal life will never “fade away.”
James uses the “crown of life” to illustrate the reward of eternal life for those that “love” Christ (James 1:12). This fits well with Paul’s picture of steadfast love and service. Peter refers to the “crown of glory” that does not fade away, illustrating the reward of eternal life (1 Peter 5:4). And lastly, John tells us to be faithful to the point of death, because of the reward of the “crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
In summary, the rewards for steadfast love and service are eternal life with God, the crown of life, glory, righteousness. And beyond that reward is the reward of fellowship with those who helped you enter the kingdom, including Paul himself, and fellowship with those you helped enter the kingdom, perhaps you grandchild - the crown of rejoicing. May God Bless.
CROWNS OR WREATHS
New Testament writers refer to crowns or wreaths several times. Christ’s crown of thorns, and the crowns like gold of the Elders, or Christ’s golden crown as King, seem to have a straightforward meaning So lets just look at the other eight times crowns or wreaths are mentioned and see if we can discern what is being said.
Paul mentions crowns or wreaths 5 times (1 Cor. 9:25; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 2:5, 4:8) and he seems to use an illustration of a victor’s wreath in a game or race as a metaphor for a “reward” associated with steadfast love and service to Christ. Those who plays by the rules and win receive a “Victor’s crown” (2 Timothy 2:5). Next, we will receive a “crown of righteousness” when we meet Jesus “on that day.” So the reward is fellowship with God, through Christ, rather than separation and judgment of the lost (2 Timothy 4:8).
But Paul speaks of a different reward, up and above eternal life, in several passages. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul refers to the fact our “crown” will last forever. Well certainly the crown of righteousness, eternal life with our Holy God rather than separation because of unrighteousness, lasts forever. But is that the crown or wreath Paul is referring to? Paul says he needs to exercise self-control, walk the talk, or he will be “disqualified” and thus not receive what he would have received if he had played by the rules. A preacher that is divorced twice has a hard time teaching love honor and obey till death do us part. So what would Paul lose if he could no long proclaim the gospel?
In Philippians 4:1, we see that Paul’s joy and crown are Paul’s brothers (and sisters) in Christ. So Paul’s reward, his “crown of rejoicing” is fellowship with other believers, folks he helped enter the kingdom. And if he was disqualified from doing that, helping others enter the kingdom, he would not receive as large a crown or there would be fewer jewels in the crown. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, Paul clearly explains that fellow believers are his crown of glory. Those that have eternal life will never “fade away.”
James uses the “crown of life” to illustrate the reward of eternal life for those that “love” Christ (James 1:12). This fits well with Paul’s picture of steadfast love and service. Peter refers to the “crown of glory” that does not fade away, illustrating the reward of eternal life (1 Peter 5:4). And lastly, John tells us to be faithful to the point of death, because of the reward of the “crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
In summary, the rewards for steadfast love and service are eternal life with God, the crown of life, glory, righteousness. And beyond that reward is the reward of fellowship with those who helped you enter the kingdom, including Paul himself, and fellowship with those you helped enter the kingdom, perhaps you grandchild - the crown of rejoicing. May God Bless.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
ephraimanesti
Senior Veteran
MY BROTHER,
Our "reward in Heaven"--note that it is singular, there being only one--is our ability to receive God's Love and return it in kind. This ability to give Love to God and to receive Love from Him is a product of our striving in this area in this life and carries over into eternity. So those who are most proficient in this area here and now will remain so in the heavenly Kingdom.
So the reward is a matter of degree rather than of kind. All God's adopted children will experience this glorious exchange of Love in the Kingdom--just some more than others as the extent of their developed propensity dictates.
An inadequate and inexact earthly example might be the difference between the greater extent to which a connoisseur of music enjoys a concert as compared to a neophyte. Each is blessed according to his understanding and capacity.
Love cannot, by definition, be used as a medium of exchange and carries within it it's own reward--given that God IS Love. Love by a Lover is not noticed or premeditated or kept score of. A good example might be found in Matthew 25:31-46.
A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim
Upvote
0
Spirit_Star
Newbie
Just getting there will be award enough even if my heavenly home is a small cottage.
Upvote
0
F
freeport
Guest
You've never been to Heaven, so you don't know.
As for greed, you can't say, "It is just greed", without asking yourself, "What is greed and why is it bad".
The problem with fleshly greed is it kills the soul, it replaces awareness with material lusts.
Greed implies "desire"... there are good and bad desires. We can bad desires "greed".
The Heavenly Kingdom is not about selflishness, those who are greatest are servants of all, it turns all of the logic of the old world on its' head. It is therefore incomprehensible.
What is comprehensible is that the desire for spiritual treasures is to see more of God. These things are the gems of truth. These spiritual truths are what God has hidden in this world. As it is written, 'It is God's to hide a matter, but kings to find'.
Admittedly, this is hard to understand in the flesh, and many Christians still view the Heavenly Kingdom in comparison to the old kingdoms. It is very difficult for them to understand it in another way.
But, the Heavenly Kingdom, though coming on earth, is vastly different.
So, if one is great, one has great perspective, but that perspective is to help others so they, too, might know of the truth.
In the end, it is all about bringing everyone to God.
Upvote
0
childofGod31
Regular Member
I think it's a reward system by God as a parent. We promise things to our children if they behave and it helps them to behave.
Although we WILL get our rewards in heaven, so it's a reality, it ALSO serves as a motivator.
God needs people to help each other. He helps His children through His other children. So He is motivating His children to help His other children.
Also, He is reminding us of the reality: doing good deeds on earth will result in getting some sort of rewards in heaven. And if you do many good deeds here on earth, so you could earn the treasures in heaven, I would say: please do.
If will be better for everybody. We are earning the "riches" that we don't even know what they are. So I don't really believe that greed is what motivates God's children to do good. Even though it could so appear logically thinking, I just don't think it works that way.
It's also God's will for us to do so. So most children of God are doing it because God said to do it, in order to do His will (not really because they are thinking of all the riches they will get in heaven).
Although we WILL get our rewards in heaven, so it's a reality, it ALSO serves as a motivator.
God needs people to help each other. He helps His children through His other children. So He is motivating His children to help His other children.
Also, He is reminding us of the reality: doing good deeds on earth will result in getting some sort of rewards in heaven. And if you do many good deeds here on earth, so you could earn the treasures in heaven, I would say: please do.
If will be better for everybody. We are earning the "riches" that we don't even know what they are. So I don't really believe that greed is what motivates God's children to do good. Even though it could so appear logically thinking, I just don't think it works that way.
It's also God's will for us to do so. So most children of God are doing it because God said to do it, in order to do His will (not really because they are thinking of all the riches they will get in heaven).
Upvote
0
Dear DarkProphet. You had many replies, and perhaps you already know, or guess the right meaning of rewards in Heaven. A heavenly reward is for the good of heavenly approval, and will last for eternity with our Heavenly Father and brothers and sisters. Different than on Earth, the rewards we use to build a good old age, will sooner, or later come to an end. I say this with love, DarkProphet. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.
Upvote
0
Similar threads
