What Does the Bible Say About Rewards in Heaven?

Learn how Bible verses about rewards in heaven reveal the eternal blessings and promises that await those who follow God’s path.

Scripture outlines rewards in heaven multiple times. For others, rewards in heaven raise questions like “If we are saved by grace alone, what are rewards in heaven for?” “If Jesus, Himself, is our reward, why do we gain merit and reward for our good works?” These are valid questions that invite you to dig deeper into the Bible. Read on as we unpack and understand Bible verses about rewards in heaven.

What are Bible verses about rewards in heaven?

Bible verses about rewards in heaven are truths in Scripture that cover and shed light on the rewards that Christ’s followers receive in heaven.

When are rewards in heaven given?

At the second coming of Jesus Christ, He will judge both the dead and the ones living. Those who follow Christ are set apart not only for a holy calling but to enjoy eternal life in heaven. Jesus will also judge His followers based on their faithfulness to Him. 

Many Christians believe that eternal life starts when we physically die and meet our Savior face to face. But the gift of salvation allows us to tread the world with eternity in our minds and hearts. Such a gift means fearlessness and boldness in trusting and obeying the Lord. 

So, instead of worrying about how to go about our daily lives, surrendering to Jesus and following His will is more fulfilling. Furthermore, we can trust with absolute certainty that the personal awards that God bestows upon us in heaven will ultimately surpass all earthly blessings.

Significance of rewards in heaven

The gift of eternal life in heaven

It is imperative always to remember that we are saved by grace alone, through faith, and not through any personal merit or work (Ephesians 2:8-9). We cannot earn our place in heaven. When we truly accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, we are adopted into the family of God. This adoption rewards us with eternal life. We are reconciled with God and will be with Him forever, not eternally separated from Him.

Reward in heaven for good works

God provides us salvation through His grace through Jesus Christ alone. However, salvation and rewards in heaven can be taken as two separate things. God is just and holy. He loves His people and treats all with justice. In order to reconcile all of humanity to Him and satisfy His justice, God sacrificed His Son’s life. This truth signifies that nothing we can accomplish alone will be enough to earn salvation and heaven’s rewards.

When we accept Christ as our redeemer and Lord, we share in His sufferings. But we also share in His joy, reward, and glory (Galatians 2:20). The inheritance we receive is connected to Jesus, as we become adopted to God’s family and are co-heirs (Romans 8:17). Heaven, above all, is a place where we will dwell with Jesus Christ (John 14:1-3). As He shares His glory with us, He, too, is our reward.

Because Jesus Christ saved and redeemed us, the Holy Spirit empowers us to do good works. A faith that does not result in good works will not expand the Kingdom of God; it is dead. We shine as salt and light in the world, serving God through our good works because we are saved, not for our salvation. Also, whatever we do will only be carried to eternity if we do it on the foundation of Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). These are the bases by which God will judge and reward His people.

Levels of rewards in heaven

Jesus often taught about heavenly rewards in the gospels, especially in Matthew and Luke, but not in the religious sense of receiving additional benefits for good behavior. Instead, He draws a stark contrast between inheriting God’s kingdom and this world’s kingdom. The former stretches to eternity and is far more satisfying.

Multiple passages in the Bible illustrate that believers will get varying levels of reward when judgment comes. Beyond salvation, Scripture says that Christ’s followers shall have a reward in heaven and that this reward will be allocated according to the degree to which one has loved and obeyed God.

Some of these passages are in Luke 15:6-7. This verse states that more joy will be experienced by one who repents compared to those who do not. In Matthew 16:27, God will reward every man according to his deeds. This verse implies that a man will receive a higher reward in heaven if he surrenders and obeys the Lord. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Paul proclaimed that we will reap blessings as redeemed Christians. But he is also forthright that our rewards will vary according to the works in our earthly lives.

Bible verses about rewards in heaven

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

For no one can lay a foundation other than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now, if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw – each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast in times of trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of His Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 

Revelation 22:12-13

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 

Luke 12:33-34

Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

Matthew 25:21

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

Revelation 2:10

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days, you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

1 Corinthians 3:8

He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 

Final Thoughts

While living on earth, the Lord indeed showers us with incredible blessings and rewards. These are rewards that are pleasurable, helpful, and significant. We are welcome to enjoy these blessings throughout our existence on earth. 

However, these blessings are only earthly rewards and do not compare to those that God may bestow upon us in heaven. God gives us salvation at no cost through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. But He also makes it clear that He wants us to live a life that He can bless in this world and heaven. 

However, we must be careful not to live the Christian life as a means of receiving rewards. Our Christian life is about loving God and loving others. Even though many individuals may disagree about the nature of heavenly rewards, we should all be careful not to focus on the rewards. We must remember that Jesus alone can satisfy our needs because He offers us salvation and eternal life.