Eternal Rewards

“Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:12

Imagine a World War II soldier, wounded while courageously rescuing his fellow soldiers. When he returns home, he is rewarded the Medal of Honor for his service. What had motivated him to put his life in danger?

He risked his life to save his friends’ lives and defend his country’s freedom. When his life was at stake in battle, he wasn’t thinking, “I’m going to put my life in jeopardy so I will receive a medal.” The reward was simply the nation’s way of showing appreciation for his heroic actions.

In the same way, we serve God because we love Him and our fellow man. We don’t serve for the reward, but for the Lord. “We have as our ambition...to be pleasing to Him.” II Cor 5:9

Rewards are simply God’s way of showing that He is pleased with our lives. He could have kept the truth about eternal rewards a big secret to be revealed to all on Judgement Day. Instead, He specifically told us some things we do now will be rewarded in the next life.