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Biblical Facts about Rewards

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Scripture not only supports the idea of eternal rewards, it spells out the specifics. In 1 Corinthians 3:10–14, three primary facts about rewards stand out. Let’s review the verses:

Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.

First, most rewards are received in heaven, not on earth. Please don’t misunderstand. There are earthly rewards. Even the world provides certain people with special honors:

• The Pulitzer Prize
• Nobel Peace Prize
• Academy Awards
• Emmy
• Tony
• Grammy

We all know that athletes win All-American honors or All-Pro or the Heisman Trophy. The military also offers medals of bravery, like the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the ultimate, the Medal of Honor.

But when it comes to servanthood, God reserves special honor for that yet future day when “each man’s work will become evident” (1 Corinthians 3:13 NASB) and “he will receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:14 NASB).

Most of the rewards God’s servants will receive will be given after death, not before.

Second, all rewards are based on quality, not quantity. “On the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done” (1 Corinthians 3:13, emphasis added).

Humans are impressed with size and volume, noise and numbers. It is easy to forget that God’s eye is always on motive, authenticity, and the real truth beneath the surface—never the external splash or surface impressions.

When He rewards servants, it will always be based on quality, which means everybody has an equal opportunity to receive a reward. The dear older lady who prays in private will be rewarded as much as the famous evangelist who preaches to multiple thousands.

The quiet, faithful friend who assists another in need will be rewarded as much as the strong spiritual leader whose gifts are more visible. A cool cup of water given to a hurting soul, bruised with adversity, will be rewarded as much as any act of sacrifice on the mission field.

God, our faithful Lord, promises to reward the quality of our work.

Here’s the third: no reward that is postponed will be forgotten. Make no mistake about it, each of us “will receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:14). God doesn’t settle His accounts at the end of every day. Nor does He close out His books toward the end of everyone’s life. No, not then.

But be assured, fellow servant, when that day in eternity dawns, when time shall be no more on this earth, no act of serving others (be it well-known or unknown) will be forgotten.

You can be a “nobody” in the eyes of this world, and your faithful God will, someday, reward your every act of servanthood.

Rewards may be postponed, but they will not be forgotten forever.

Unlike many people today, God keeps all His promises.

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