Different kinds of rewards in Heaven?

[oswinium]

Romans 2:6 says, "For he will repay everyone according to what that person has done" (ISV)

2 Cor 5:10 says, "...so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless" (ISV)

According to these passages, is it implied that each person in Heaven (after having passed the test on Judgement Day) will enjoy to different degrees?
For example, let's take two Believers - A and B.
'A' had a very fruitful fellowship with Jesus during His life on earth. He preached the Word, lived in the Spirit most of the time, and pleased God.
'B' on the other hand, did get saved and lived a decently Godly life. But he wasn't as successful as 'A'. Maybe he was timid at times while witnessing to others. Maybe he was the kind of Christian who always had to 'hang on' until the day of Christ came - i.e. not living as ''more than a conqueror"
Will 'A' enjoy more in Heaven than 'B'?

 

[james g]

The Crown of Life.
An Incorruptible Crown.
Crown of Rejoicing.
Crown of Glory.
Crown of Righteousness.

 

[oswinium]

The Crown of Life.
An Incorruptible Crown.
Crown of Rejoicing.
Crown of Glory.
Crown of Righteousness.

Hi brother. Thank you for that. But I'm afraid you didn't get my point. What I was asking is: Will each of us enjoy equally in Heaven, or is it possible that one may enjoy more than another for whatever reason?

 

[RJ]

Romans 2:6 says, "For he will repay everyone according to what that person has done" (ISV)

2 Cor 5:10 says, "...so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless" (ISV)

According to these passages, is it implied that each person in Heaven (after having passed the test on Judgement Day) will enjoy to different degrees?
For example, let's take two Believers - A and B.
'A' had a very fruitful fellowship with Jesus during His life on earth. He preached the Word, lived in the Spirit most of the time, and pleased God.
'B' on the other hand, did get saved and lived a decently Godly life. But he wasn't as successful as 'A'. Maybe he was timid at times while witnessing to others. Maybe he was the kind of Christian who always had to 'hang on' until the day of Christ came - i.e. not living as ''more than a conqueror"
Will 'A' enjoy more in Heaven than 'B'?

There should be no doubt with the difference in reward between the saved and unsaved.

When it comes to Christians the Bible does talk about the possibility of different levels or kinds of rewards.

The key, I think, is to follow the Lord as best you can while you are here and when you are there, if there are different levels of rewards, the lowest reward level in Heaven is a whole lot better that no rewards in Hell.

I happen to also think that your verse above as well as others, are more a distinction between a fruitfull Christian and a non-believer.

 

[will]

Romans 2:6 says, "For he will repay everyone according to what that person has done" (ISV)

2 Cor 5:10 says, "...so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless" (ISV)

According to these passages, is it implied that each person in Heaven (after having passed the test on Judgement Day) will enjoy to different degrees?
For example, let's take two Believers - A and B.
'A' had a very fruitful fellowship with Jesus during His life on earth. He preached the Word, lived in the Spirit most of the time, and pleased God.
'B' on the other hand, did get saved and lived a decently Godly life. But he wasn't as successful as 'A'. Maybe he was timid at times while witnessing to others. Maybe he was the kind of Christian who always had to 'hang on' until the day of Christ came - i.e. not living as ''more than a conqueror"
Will 'A' enjoy more in Heaven than 'B'?

This is a very good question you're asking.
The passage that pops into my mind immediately regarding this concept is Phillippians 3:14 where the apostle Paul stated that he's pressing on to win the prize/reward.

He stated this obviously way after he was saved, so he's *not* talking about the prize being salvation into eternal life.

So what is he talking about then? It is something that depends on our effort (unlike salvation, which is 100% Grace through faith in Lord Jesus Christ) here on earth to fulfill the Great Commission that the Lord has given His disciples.

It *does* mean that there are different rewards in heaven for those who are already saved in Christ.

Other passages such as Matthew 6:19-21 where our Lord was teaching about storing up "treasures" in heaven, also clearly indicates what the Lord expects us to do with our lives *after* He saves us.

And finally, one passage that eludes my understanding for a long time, 1 Corinthians 3:12

"Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

In verses 14 and 15, it's plain and clear the distinction between getting rewards versus simply being saved. Those are two very different things that affects how we perceive our remaining lives on this earth after our salvation.

Without realizing this distinction, it is very hard to understand this passage.

Make sense?

 

[TouchTestimony]

Romans 2:6 says, "For he will repay everyone according to what that person has done" (ISV)

2 Cor 5:10 says, "...so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless" (ISV)

According to these passages, is it implied that each person in Heaven (after having passed the test on Judgement Day) will enjoy to different degrees?
For example, let's take two Believers - A and B.
'A' had a very fruitful fellowship with Jesus during His life on earth. He preached the Word, lived in the Spirit most of the time, and pleased God.
'B' on the other hand, did get saved and lived a decently Godly life. But he wasn't as successful as 'A'. Maybe he was timid at times while witnessing to others. Maybe he was the kind of Christian who always had to 'hang on' until the day of Christ came - i.e. not living as ''more than a conqueror"
Will 'A' enjoy more in Heaven than 'B'?

perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. who are we to rule out possibilities anyways. he, after all, knows all, sees all.

 

[oswinium]

Thank you so much Mr. Will
Boy, in that case, I have a long way to go But Philippians 1:6 says, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ---- God will not give up on us; He will continue to help us to fulfill the Great Commission

 

[RJ]

This is a very good question you're asking.
The passage that pops into my mind immediately regarding this concept is Phillippians 3:14 where the apostle Paul stated that he's pressing on to win the prize/reward.

He stated this obviously way after he was saved, so he's *not* talking about the prize being salvation into eternal life.

So what is he talking about then? It is something that depends on our effort (unlike salvation, which is 100% Grace through faith in Lord Jesus Christ) here on earth to fulfill the Great Commission that the Lord has given His disciples.

It *does* mean that there are different rewards in heaven for those who are already saved in Christ.

Other passages such as Matthew 6:19-21 where our Lord was teaching about storing up "treasures" in heaven, also clearly indicates what the Lord expects us to do with our lives *after* He saves us.

And finally, one passage that eludes my understanding for a long time, 1 Corinthians 3:12

"Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

In verses 14 and 15, it's plain and clear the distinction between getting rewards versus simply being saved. Those are two very different things that affects how we perceive our remaining lives on this earth after our salvation.

Without realizing this distinction, it is very hard to understand this passage.

Make sense?

From other parts of the epistle, like subsequent verses , it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the building, which should be kept pure and holy for God. Those who spread loose principles, which render the church of God unholy, bring destruction upon themselves, much just like today.

Again, for me verses 14 and 15 are a greater distinction between true Christians and Christians only in name. When you get down to it, you are either saved and abiding in the spirit of Christ are you are not.

Look at verse 1: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ."

Paul really wasn't going to say who is saved and who isn't, that is up to God but, he was sure going to point out that some among the Corithians were carnal.
The use of fire to separate is figuritve speech, much like separating the "wheat from the chaff". It is a process of testing and some will be burned up some will be perfected and pass through. Being consumed is a fire is an example of false teachers among the Corithians and the unsaved. Once truly saved, there is no such thing as becoming unsaved.