Eternal Rewards
ICS Daily Devotions

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1 Corinthians 3:14-15 (NKJV) If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The judgement seat of Christ is a place where obedience, service, faithfulness, motives, and willingness to serve are evaluated, using the gifts, talents, financial or material blessings that He has given us to love and serve Him. It will also be a day when the true motives behind our service are revealed, and work done with the right heart attitude will be rewarded.

The Apostle Paul understood this truth and was willing to preach the gospel freely, even though God explicitly states in the Bible that those who preach the gospel are entitled to live by it. Paul was motivated by the reward rather than the privileges of the position, firmly believing that he would be rewarded for his labour of love for the church (1 Corinthians 9:3-18).

It is very dangerous for us to prioritise earthly work over God’s work. Either God gets priority from us through our commitment and right attitude, or the work will be burnt up when tested by fire before us on the Day of Judgement.

All the work we do for the Lord will be revealed on that day, exposing the motives and intentions behind our service. Gold, silver, and precious stones represent things that endure or hold eternal value—things that please God, walking in His will, and serving Him with the gifts and talents He has given us, including sharing the gospel, ministering to others with the gifts He has given us—both the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the natural gifting that He has given us.

Everyone wants to see their work withstand the test of fire and hear, “Well done! My good and faithful servant!” The Bible says that those whose work remains when it is tested by fire will receive a reward, but we need to know that God always looks at the heart rather than the quantity or outward results.

Our salvation is purely based on the atonement and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace through faith, and we have the imputed righteousness, which is a gift. We didn’t deserve it, but He freely gave it to us when we called on the name of Jesus. We are not saved by works, but we are saved to do good works. God has recorded everything done out of love and a pure heart, for which we will be rewarded.

Sermon Series: Giving out of a heart of gratitude