- Matthew 5:11-12 - 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 10:42 - And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
- Matthew 25:40 - And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
- Luke 6:35 - But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
- 1 Corinthians 3:8 - Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Have you ever wondered what kind of rewards you will receive in heaven? When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we will be evaluated based on what was given to us—that is, the truth God revealed to us—and how we utilized the opportunities we were given.
Furthermore, certain behaviors and attitudes bring special rewards. For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew, it is stated that there is a great reward in heaven for those who are insulted and persecuted for the sake of Jesus (Matthew 5:11–12). Elsewhere, the Lord notes that kindness shown to His followers is noted and rewarded (Matthew 25:40). Even a cup of water given to someone who is thirsty will not be forgotten on the day of judgment (Matthew 10:42).
Other behaviors that capture the Father’s special attention include showing love to enemies and giving without expecting anything in return. Such a life brings a great reward, and one is called a “child of the Most High” (Luke 6:35).
Sometimes it feels as if others are reaping the harvest without even realizing how hard we have worked. But God promises that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters will be forgotten (1 Corinthians 3:8). The Lord sees every detail, and everything done for His sake will be rewarded.
Reflection
What small act of kindness done in secret today might be valued by God with a great reward?