What rewards will we receive in heaven?

from the old testament

• In Israel, we are given an example of how God’s blessings are often tied to obedience. For example, in Deuteronomy 28:1–14, He promised them specific blessings for obeying. When speaking about God’s Law, David said, “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11).
• Notice how those passages use reward as a motivating factor for obedience. That counters the idea that striving for heavenly rewards is unspiritual. Just like God uses discipline to teach obedience (cf. Hebrews 12:6, 11), He also uses the promise of reward.

from the new testament

• In terms of what heavenly rewards will be like, Scripture doesn’t say. At least, not in detail. What can be known is that all believers will share in Christ’s inheritance, “that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
• Believers share in the rewards because they are God's children (Romans 8:16), and thus “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).
• In some instances, the rewards are referred to as crowns (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:8). However, that language may be figurative, referring to how some will reign with Christ or how one will be honored in heaven for specific acts of faithfulness here on earth.
• While the rewards themselves aren’t clear, what’s clear is that their receipt is tied to faithfulness in this life. In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus gave a parable in which those given much, and who were faithful with what they were given, received much in turn. The parable also illustrates that all the faithful in the story were well-rewarded. So while those with less in this life received less in the life to come, they were all greatly blessed.
• Some point to Jesus’ statement about teaching obedience and love, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full,” as implying that joy will be complete in heaven regardless of reward (John 15:11). Certainly, there will be no sadness (Revelation 21:4), and therefore no one will be disappointed by what he or she receives.
• Paul demonstrated that desiring reward was not unspiritual. In 2 Timothy 4:8, he said, "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” He looked forward to and expected a reward for his faithfulness in this life.
• He could do that because he understood that believers were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Believers are rewarded for doing what God ordained they would do, making rewards part of God’s lavish blessings on believers.

implications for today

Parents often motivate their children in two ways: by punishing them or by rewarding them. While human parents often fail to use either as well as they should, our heavenly Father uses both perfectly. When it comes to rewards, He uses them to help us look forward to what will come so we’re willing to give up what seems pleasurable now for what is eternally better (e.g., Hebrews 11:24–26).

Whatever those rewards will be, they will be far greater than we can imagine. Our future inheritance is described as imperishable (1 Peter 1:3–4), meaning that they will not wear out or get less valuable over time, unlike the greatest “rewards” in this life. We are, therefore, encouraged to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). Let us do that by striving to obey, faithfully growing in Christlikeness. Let us also use what God has given us, talents, money, and other resources, to help our local church (1 Peter 4:10) and gospel ministries (Philippians 4:15–16). Inasmuch as we participate in Christ’s work in and through the church, we will also be eternal beneficiaries.

As believers, we already have a great future: eternity with Christ. But as if that were not enough, God is providing so much more. Like kids looking forward to a promised trip to Disneyland, let us obey, excitedly anticipating our great reward one day.