Wow. I just saw this video and it’s very possibly the most anointed three-minute sermon I’ve ever heard. There are no words to describe the glory of our Savior, but this man comes as close as any man can. Watch and be blessed.

“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 in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

               -Matthew 5:11, 12

I recently received an email from a follower that contained a very thought provoking question about heaven. In fact, her email has occupied so many of my thoughts over these last two days that I decided to go ahead and respond publicly rather than via return email as I usually do. Here is her question:

“When I read about Heaven, I get the idea that there are different rewards in Heaven. My pastor says all the time that what we do on earth, we will get rewarded for in Heaven. Why is that? There is no jealousy in Heaven. No one will envy another. So why would anyone care what rewards they will get in Heaven? They will be delighted and happy in Heaven because possessions and houses won’t matter. So why will our Heavenly experience matter by how much we do for God on earth?”

Any pastor who preaches various degrees of heavenly reward is absolutely correct in his thinking. Not only does it make sense that God would reward His children according to their individual obedience, but the Scriptures clearly indicate  that “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” (1 Corinthians 3:8) Just as Christ taught that the Pharisees would “receive greater damnation” for their wickedness and hypocrisy (Mark 12:40), the doctrines of Scripture also teach that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Of course, as it was so aptly pointed out above, there will be no jealousy in heaven. It’s certainly hard to imagine my fellow brother receiving more treasures and authority than myself without harboring feelings of anger and resentment, yet we know that heaven is a place where “the former things [including jealousy!] are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) In accordance with Romans 12:15 we will join others in their heavenly celebration, not pout because we’re discontent with what we were given.

I’ll admit, the idea of additional rewards in heaven seems redundant. Isn’t heaven itself enough? Yes, but I also believe that our heavenly Father’s ways are much higher, wiser, and greater than our own (Isaiah 55:8, 9). It didn’t make much sense in humanity’s eyes that God would choose a stable as the birthplace for His Son, or a poor, small-town couple to serve as His foster parents. Yet this is what pleased the Father and the very way He chose to author our salvation (Colossians 1:19; Hebrews 12:2). I can’t help but think the same is true when it comes to eternity and its rewards; God doesn’t owe us anything, but chooses to give us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” because we are His children in whom He delights (Ephesians 3:20; Proverbs 12:22).

Regardless of whatever treasures we may have waiting for us in heaven, my heart tells me  that I’m utterly unworthy of it all. Any Christian who serves God for material gain will one day realize they’ve not gained a thing, while those who go about doing their “reasonable service” will find riches beyond all comprehension (Romans 12:1; Luke 17:10).