We often speak of a heavenly reward. It’s usually said in relation to the phrase “you can’t take it with you.” The “it” in this case is all the stuff we acquire in life. Our homes, cars, clothes, gadgets, toys… even our money.
This stuff is stuff we gather, collect, and hoard. Some of us make a game of it, seeking to get more than anyone else. I guess that is the goal; to have the most.
But guess what: you can’t take all that stuff with you. And guess what: God does not have a special reward for whoever gets the most stuff while on earth.
That does not mean, though, that there is no such thing as heavenly reward. Let’s talk about that more in relation to Edwards 22nd resolution.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 22
Edwards’ Resolution #22 (in my modernized language) To quest for the broadest capacity of heavenly reward possible by faithfully serving God.
I have to admit, this resolution is difficult to consider. I’ve always thought of admittance into heaven as the reward unto itself. Never did I consider there to be levels of reward. And, once I did, I had to wonder if this resolution is selfish in ambition.
Plus, there’s the notion of violence in pursuit of it. What? This is really sounding irrational and counter to all I had thought about heavenly reward and Christian living.
You Can’t Take It With You
So let’s start with the obvious: You can’t take it with you. If ever there were question about the stuff you accumulate, Matthew 6:20 specifically tells us the difference between heavenly and earthly rewards.
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” – Matthew 6:20 NIV
The material rewards on earth are not everlasting. They crumble, fade, and can be taken. Clearly, then, the “reward in heaven” for each of us who is saved is the eternal prize for which we aspire. For this reason, Jesus gave us a command to not forsake heavenly reward by seeking worldly fruits. Stuff.
In short, the stuff you acquire while on Earth is temporary, and cannot be taken with you. So it’s not really a reward in light of eternity.
Salvation, Works, and Heavenly Reward
Salvation is by grace. And by grace alone. There is no work you or I can do to earn our ways into heaven.
As Christians, this is something most of us generally agree and understand. Yet, our works on Earth are important. Jesus speaks through the Apostle John about that importance:
We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:4-5 ESV.
Likewise, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said Heaven will be a place where rewards are given to the saved.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
Are there Levels of Heavenly Reward?
Yes, scripture presents the idea of heavenly reward. I’ve struggled with the concept of degrees of reward, though. Yet, Edwards clearly states his resolve to get as much as possible.
He clearly did believe in varying levels of heavenly reward. For more on that, keep reading. I also urge you to research Jonathan Edwards on The Portion of the Righteous.
One scripture used to suggest the heaven-bound will have varying degrees of reward in heaven is Luke 15:6-7.
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – Luke 15:7 NIV
The advocate for degrees of heavenly reward will say this verse serves as evidence. The use of the word “joy” is suggested as a metaphor for reward.” As such, we might interpret this as one will experience more or less joy/reward.
The opposition though, looks more into the passages totality. This passage is the parable of the lost sheep. Preceding verses demonstrate the good shepherd leaving his flock of 99 to find the one lost sheep and returning it to the flock.
The “reward” that is gained in this case is a feeling of joy. The joy is experienced by those who found the lost sheep and those who welcome the return of their lost cohort. Why? Because the unity of the flock is reason for celebration and rejoicing. Perhaps one might feel a higher level of joy than others, but a higher reward?
On the surface, I don’t believe so. But it may in fact be the case. More on that in a moment.
Matthew 16:27 – Compensation for Deeds?
Another verse used to support the belief of varying degrees of heavenly reward is Matthew 16:27.
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. – Matthew 16:27 NIV
Of this verse, J. Warner Wallace says,
“This statement is so clear and direct it can hardly be argued. Jesus promised to “repay each person according to what he has done” (ESV). Think about it for a minute. If Jesus is not telling us God dispenses fair and just rewards (and punishments) in the next life, what in the world does this passage mean?”
Again, on the surface, it’s very easy to agree with the clear-cut interpretation.
How others interpret Matthew 16:27?
Matthew Henry: “The rewarding of men according to their works is deferred till that day. Here good and evil seem to be dispensed promiscuously; we see not apostasy punished with immediate strokes, nor fidelity encouraged with immediate smiles, from heaven; but in that day all will be set to rights. Therefore judge nothing before the time…”
Matthew Poole: “This verse makes it plain, that our Saviour by such in the former verse understood the soul of man, or eternal life, that blessed state which is prepared for the saints of God; for he here minds them that there shall be a last judgment, and gives them a little description of it… Not according to his faith, but works, for faith without works is dead; but these works must spring out of a root of faith, without which it is impossible to please God. He shall reward him, by a reward of grace, not of debt, Romans 4:4. Works shall be rewarded, but not as with a penny for a pennyworth, but of grace.”
John MacArthur: “On the day of judgment, every man will be judged on the basis of his deeds. It is not that deeds are the means of salvation, which is by grace through faith alone. But a person’s outward deeds are the surest evidence of his inward spiritual condition. People are best known by their fruits, Jesus said (Matt. 7:16). James declared that ‘faith, if it has no works, is dead’ (James 2:17).”
Jonathan Edwards Theology of Inequality
I spent weeks studying, researching, praying and pondering this post. In many ways, I stressed over it. Agonized over it, even. Later in my efforts, I learned of Jonathan Edwards “Degrees of Glory” and his Theology of Inequality. I cannot share the totality of it here. Some of the reasoning for that is because I probably don’t fully understand it all myself. What I can share, though, is that Edwards bases much of its argument on three passages; Luke 19:13-19; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Ephesians 6:8. I highly encourage you to give those a read and ponder on your own.
In a sentence or two, Edwards believed that we all will be 100% happy when in Heaven. That’s pretty cool. However, there will be varying degrees of capacity for happiness. Here’s a simple metaphor to consider:
I rarely buy fountain drinks at service stations, but I recently did so because I got a coupon for a free one of any size. When I went in to select my drink, I was astounded to see that the largest option was no longer 32 ounces. It wasn’t even 48 ounces. No, the largest cup was 64 ounces. In my research, I learned that 7-Eleven even offers 128 oz buckets… I mean cups.
Think about that! Varying sizes of cups. Each has a varying capacity to hold different levels of soda. And each can be 100% full even though all do not hold equal amounts.
In much the same way, Edwards believed we would be 100% filled with joy… some will just have larger capacities.
Earthly Reward and How it Relates to Heavenly Reward
Having agonized over this post as much as I have – perhaps more than I have any other, I have a few conclusions as I continue to seek answers. No, our works do not grant us salvation. Yes, the saved will be 100% filled with happiness when in heaven. Yes, there are varying levels of reward in Heaven. And yes, our works DO have something to do with the capacity for it.
Our works and deeds exhibit the inner-working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Sometimes we see our responsibilities on earth as a burden. However, God, who gave us our every talent and ability, rewards us with the responsibility of using them. In so doing, we gain our sense of our value and significance. Though not motivated of pride, there’s a filling with satisfaction and worth.
Whether on earth, as it is to be in heaven, the rewards are not of gold, money, jewels, or stuff. The token trophy we get is not the reward. It is a mere representation of the true reward — namely the experiences of achievements while earning it. Similarly, the rewards we gain in heaven, regardless of their degree, will be precious because they represent the generous and loving use our God-given abilities and our pleasing relationship with God our creator.
Our capacity for Heavenly reward represents the fulfillment of our earthly stories, the rewards of which will bring eternal happiness to ourselves and to our God.
And that, friends, is something we can take with us.
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
– Psalm 16:11