By Bob Wilkin
Jeff raises a great question:
Do you think a believer earns a reward each time he does a good deed in Jesus’ name (or to honor God). In other words, as he lives each day, does he lay up gold, silver, and precious stones in heaven for the good he does?
But if we earn rewards this way, is it biblically accurate to say they are secure? That a bad deed tomorrow won’t cause a believer to lose a reward that was earned yesterday?
Though some rewards, such as getting to hear Jesus say “well done” and reigning with Christ, are reserved only for those who finish well, are there rewards for good deeds a believer has done throughout his life that he can’t lose once they’re earned?
Everlasting life is secure when we believe in Christ (John 3:16; 5:24; 6:35; 11:26). But what about eternal rewards?
Some eternal rewards are secure the moment we do them.
Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:19-21). Notice that He said this treasure is secure. It won’t be destroyed or stolen. The Lord does not condition this treasure upon perseverance.
Matthew 6:19-21 describes instant winners.
That passage (compare Matt 6:1-18) shows that eternal rewards are only given for our good deeds if our motives are proper. Many other verses indicate that the Lord will judge our hearts (1 Cor 4:5; Gal 1:10; 1 Thess 2:4). Motives matter.
Let’s say that Jeff does twenty good deeds on Monday, but he also does some bad deeds. While we are accountable for all our deeds, good and bad (2 Cor 5:10), we reap eternal rewards for all the good deeds. Bad deeds do not negate the rewards of good deeds.
He is also right that the secure deeds are called “gold, silver, and precious stones” by Paul in 1 Cor 3:10-15. Those are not good works per se. They are works that have eternal value. We may do something that we think is a good work, but that God considers “wood, hay, and straw.” Those works are works that lack eternal value.
I remember a comment by Zane Hodges about 1 Cor 3:10-15. After saying that the wood, hay, and straw were not bad deeds, but deeds lacking eternal value, he gave the example of a ski trip for a youth group. He said that most of that trip would just be recreation. Only on the occasions when counseling and teaching and encouragement was going on would there be works of eternal value.
Jeff’s last paragraph addresses a second type of reward. Some rewards—in fact, most rewards—require endurance to the end of our Christian lives. They are not secure until one finishes the race. Compare 1 Cor 9:24-27 with 2 Tim 4:6-8. Paul said, “If we endure, we shall reign with Him” (2 Tim 2:12a).
The perseverance prizes include ruling with Christ, receiving His praise and approval, special white garments, hidden manna, the fruit of the tree of life, and a special white stone with the Lord’s nickname for you on it (cf. Matt 24:45-51; 1 Cor 9:24-27; 2 Tim 2:12; 4:6-8; Rev 2:7, 17, 26; 3:4-5, 12, 21).
We do not know what treasure in heaven will be. It might be an unspecified reward if treasure is meant figuratively. Or it could refer to literal treasure of some sort. If there is an economy in the kingdom, possibly we will have monthly allowances based on the treasure we laid up (cf. Phil 4:17). We would use that money to glorify the Lord Jesus.
There are two other questions that arise from Jeff’s question. Will we give our rewards back to the Lord (Rev 4:10)? And will rewards only be for the Millennium? We will answer these two questions in Part 2.
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Bob Wilkin is Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society. He and Sharon live in Highland Village, TX. He has racewalked ten marathons.
