I can remember running nearly 20 full marathons. Each had its own challenges and joys. And each had wonderful rewards waiting for me at the end. Sherry would be there, and I knew she would take me home to a big dinner, a hot bath, and maybe even a foot rub! That hope gave me the endurance to finish each race strong. What does the Bible say about future rewards for the good, loving deeds that we do in this life? A great deal!
Principles When Giving Rewards
One great principle throughout the Bible is that those who work are worthy of some kind of payment or reward. Jesus told this to his disciples when he sent them out to serve.
Luke 10:7:
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his HIRE [reward].
God states this principle, even in regard to animals who serve.
Deuteronomy 25:4:
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
It would be cruel to force an ox to tread down grain all day, and never get to have a bite of the nourishment it needs. Paul quoted this truth in his letter to Timothy. Work should bring reward.
1 Timothy 5:18:
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Jesus expanded the scope of this principle. When we “reap” by bringing the good news of Christ’s salvation to others, we will receive “wages,” not only in this life, but in that which is to come. What great joy and rejoicing we have in “sowing” the truth in people’s hearts and then “reaping” the blessings of salvation!
John 4:36:
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
God is so gracious and merciful to us. By His grace in Christ we have eternal life, forgiveness of sins in this life, abundant spiritual fruit, physical needs met, and good health and healing. We also receive rewards for the good works that we do.
Romans 4:4:
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
We have eternal life by grace through the works of Christ. But we receive rewards for the works that we do in this life.
God promises to remember our good deeds and reward us in the future.
Hebrews 6:10,11:
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.
Remember that the mightiest deeds without love bring no profit.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM NOTHING.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and HAVE NOT CHARITY, IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING.
Overview of Rewards in the New Testament
The Greek noun translated “reward” is misthos. It comes from the verb misthoō, meaning “to hire, or rent” with a payment. We can see both words used in Jesus’ parable about the laborers in a vineyard.
Matthew 20:1,7,8:
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire [misthoō] labourers into his vineyard.
They say unto him, Because no man hath hired [misthoō] us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire [misthos], beginning from the last unto the first.
Let’s see from Scripture what God will reward us for.
Jesus’s Sermons
Jesus talked a great deal about God’s rewards in his sermons on the mount [Matthew 5—7] and on the plain [Mark 6]. Jesus told his disciples that they would be rewarded by the Father when they “stood up for” Jesus. This would bring worldly persecutions, but God’s heavenly reward would make it worth it. The prophets throughout the Old Testament endured such trials, and will receive future rewards.
Matthew 5:11,12:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward [misthos] in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Our giving should be from a pure heart with God’s love. True love is not trying to get something for what we do. And Jesus said so.
Matthew 5:46:
For if ye love them which love you, what reward [misthos] have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Jesus lived in a culture where religious people would “put on a show” of their good works. That included fasting, giving alms to the poor, and long, public prayers. These people wanted an earthly reward of stature and praise from other people. Jesus set things in true perspective.
Matthew 6:1,2,5,16:
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward [misthos] of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward [misthos].
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward [misthos].
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward [misthos].
Jesus summarized these truths in his sermon on the plain: standing for Jesus will bring heavenly rewards; we serve others not for personal gain, but to be like our loving heavenly Father.
Luke 6:23,35:
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [misthos] is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward [misthos] shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Rewarding Service Done in Love
Jesus taught that our rewards are commensurate with our service.
Matthew 10:41,42:
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward [misthos]; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward [misthos].
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward [misthos].
The key is that we are doing works that please God. Even giving water to a disciple, meeting such a simple physical need, will bring a positive eternal impact!
Mark 9:41:
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward [misthos].
So, how do we earn eternal rewards? By walking by the spirit. By walking “worthy,” having a balanced lifestyle with God at the center. By walking in love, light, and circumspectly.
Galatians 5:16:
This I say then, WALK IN THE SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Ephesians 4:1:
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye WALK WORTHY of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
Ephesians 5:2,8,15:
And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT.
See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as wise.
Our walk, our labor in the Lord, is NOT in vain!
1 Corinthians 15:58:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Consequences for Evil Behavior
But what about those who do evil works? Is there any punishment or negative “reward” for their behavior? Yes. Without the forgiveness that comes through Christ, there are consequences for evil behavior. Sadly, Judas lost his life and ministry because of his greed and wicked deeds.
Acts 1:18:
Now this man [Judas] purchased a field with the reward [misthos] of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
James describes those who oppress and persecute others in this life. God is not unjust, but will bring true justice in the future. He hears the cries of those in need, and sees the evil that people do. There will be consequences for such evil deeds and fraudulent dealings.
James 5:4:
Behold, the hire [misthos] of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Balaam, the son of Beor [or Bosor], is a seer described in Numbers 22—24. Rather than seeking God’s will, he was tempted by earthly riches.
2 Peter 2:13-15:
And shall receive the reward [misthos] of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages [misthos] of unrighteousness.
Because he sought man’s rewards, his actions brought deadly consequences.
Joshua 13:22:
BALAAM also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel SLAY WITH THE SWORD among them that were slain by them.
Jude uses Balaam along with Cain [Genesis 4] and Core [Korah in Numbers 16] to show how evil deeds will be punished.
Jude 1:11:
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward [misthos], and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Eternal Rewards at Christ’s Return
Those of us who accept Christ as Savior have a “foundation” that brings eternal life.
1 Corinthians 3:8-15:
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward [misthos] according to his own labour.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward [misthos].
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This is so clear. When Christ returns, we will have eternal life based on the “foundation” of salvation in Christ. We WILL RECEIVE REWARDS for those good deeds done in love [gold, silver, precious stones]. We WILL NOT RECEIVE REWARDS for the worthless things we’ve done [wood, hay, stubble]. They will be “burned up” in the proving “fire” of future judgment. But our good deeds will receive a reward! They cannot be lost.
Paul goes back to the basic principle that rewards are earned. His reward for preaching the gospel was that he could make the truth freely known. There was no “charge” for the gospel. Paul knew that God would reward him eternally for his evangelizing and care for the church.
1 Corinthians 9:9, 16-18:
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward [misthos]: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
What is my reward [misthos] then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
A Full Reward
2 John 1:8:
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a FULL REWARD [misthos].
We want to look to ourselves and so live that we get a “full” reward. We don’t want to “lose” any POTENTIAL REWARDS THAT WE MAY HAVE EARNED. God will never take away the rewards we already have, but we could “lose” the rewards we would have gained by not living for God with a pure heart, motivated by His love. Remember that the mightiest deeds without love bring no profit [1 Corinthians 13:1,2].
We want a completely “full” reward, gaining all that we can in our service to God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek New Testament uses two different words for “fill” when it comes to the gift of holy spirit. One means to be full to capacity. As a Chemistry teacher, I enjoyed demonstrating to students what “saturation” means. It is the point at which a solution of a substance no longer dissolves that substance [full on the inside]. The Greek word plēroō refers to a filling up to the point of saturation—completely filled. This is true of the holy spirit.
Acts 13:52:
And the disciples were filled [plēroō] with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
The word for “full” in 2 John 1:8 comes from plēroō. It is the Greek word plērēs and is used of Jesus Christ.
John 1:14:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full [plērēs] of grace and truth.
God’s only Son, the Word made flesh, was completely filled with “true grace.” He made known the Father.
Jesus brought God’s fullness of grace to us.
John 1:16:
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Future Redemption, Taking Hold on Eternal Life, Promised Salvation
We are filled with holy spirit. It is an “earnest” or token of our future “inheritance” that we will receive. That includes rewards and the new spiritual bodies we will receive at Christ’s return.
Ephesians 1:13,14:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE,
Which is the EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
We will have full “redemption” when we are made like our risen Lord.
Philippians 3:21:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned LIKE UNTO HIS GLORIOUS BODY, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
That future life is the ultimate “salvation” for us. We are saved today in Christ, but our future wholeness gets closer each day.
Romans 13:11:
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for NOW IS OUR SALVATION NEARER than when we believed.
That future salvation is a great part of our hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:8:
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, THE HOPE OF SALVATION.
We have eternal life in Christ. But we can “lay hold” on future rewards.
1 Timothy 6:12,19:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold [epilambanomai] on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Laying up in store [apothēsaurizō] for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on [epilambanomai] eternal life.
The Greek word epilambanomai literally means to take something unto ourselves. We are to “claim” future rewards as we profess a godly lifestyle today. We are storing these rewards up as we live for our Father and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek word used here is apothēsaurizō and gives us the English word “thesaurus.” A thesaurus is a “treasury” of words. We are literally laying aside “treasures” in heaven as we walk in love and by the spirit here on earth.
Jesus taught that these heavenly treasures cannot be stolen from us.
Matthew 6:20:
But lay up for yourselves TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through NOR STEAL.
Our Lord made this available for us. He is the author of our eternal salvation.
Hebrews 5:9:
And being made perfect, he became the author of ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that obey him.
God protects us in this life by His power and might. He preserves unto the full salvation that awaits us at Christ’s return.
1 Peter 1:5:
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We want to make our calling “sure,” by living each day with the hope of our Lord returning. We “give diligence” to gain a full reward.
2 Peter 1:10:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
Rewards at the End
The Book of Revelation describes future times. God will present rewards then.
Revelation 11:18:
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward [misthos] unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
The Bible closes with God giving rewards based on our works in this life. What a wonderful thing to understand!
Revelation 22:12:
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [misthos] is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
