In a larger conversation, a friend asked me this question and I thought I'd make a blog post with my response. Just to let you know, I spoke out my own thoughts and then used an AI to help clarify and then went back and edited it again to make sure that I agreed with the final product.
The original question :
"I also have a question on the “rewards.” I thought being in eternity with Jesus was the reward, but many Bible passages discuss storing up treasures in heaven. I’ve always been perplexed on this concept of rewards."
Scripture is clear that salvation is a free gift available to everyone through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it also teaches that there are different levels of reward based on how we live and serve here on earth. There are even degrees of punishment in hell, so it makes sense that rewards vary too.
What are those rewards? They're tied to our faithfulness with what God gives us. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who faithfully use their gifts are rewarded with more responsibility: 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' (Matthew 25:21). So heaven isn't just eternal rest—it's a place of continued purpose and activity.
We're also told we'll rule and reign with Christ. The more faithful we are here, the greater our role or responsibility there (e.g., Revelation 5:10: 'You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth'; or 2 Timothy 2:12: 'If we endure, we will also reign with him').
No one will be unhappy or jealous—everyone will be fully satisfied in God's presence, and heaven will be paradise compared to earth. But there will be varying degrees of responsibility or capacity for joy/service.
I also think rewards go beyond 'things'—they're not about more gold or possessions. They're relational: the more we grow in our relationship with God here, and the more people we influence for eternity, the more prepared we'll be to enjoy deeper fellowship with Him and others there.
A fun illustration I've heard (not sure if it's historical fact, but it captures the idea): John Wesley and George Whitefield, two famous evangelists who once worked together, parted ways over theology. When asked if he'd see Whitefield in heaven, Wesley joked, 'No—he'll be so close to the throne that I won't be able to see him!' It's tongue-in-cheek, but it points to the idea that greater faithfulness here leads to greater closeness or prominence in eternity.
Bottom line: Rewards are about being better prepared for eternal life with God—more responsibility, deeper relationships, and greater capacity to glorify Him. Everyone in heaven will be thrilled with what God gives them, but our earthly faithfulness matters.
If you'd like, I can dig up more specific passages or go deeper on any part!
Suggested Bible Verses:
On storing up treasures in heaven (the core perplexity your friend mentioned):
Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
On rewards according to works/faithfulness:
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.”
Revelation 22:12 — “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
Parable of the Talents (responsibility/reward for using gifts):
Matthew 25:14-30 (especially verses 21 and 23, as above).
Ruling/reigning with Christ:
Revelation 5:10 — “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
2 Timothy 2:12 — “If we endure, we will also reign with him.”
On varying degrees of reward (and satisfaction for all):
1 Corinthians 3:8, 14 — “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor... If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.”
(This ties into the idea of works being tested, with varying outcomes but salvation secure.)
