The Pursuit of a Reward from Christ is not Selfish but what is in the Best Intereat of One's Self and Others.

In today's contemporary church the subject of eternal rewards or for that matter any discussion concerning rewards earned by the believer in this life or for the life to come is slim to none and far between. Think about it? When was the last time you heard a sermon on this topic in your church? Maybe never. But you will be hard pressed to read a single page of Scripture without encountering this topic. The Scriptures are pact full with the discussion of rewards or the loss of rewards and the possibility of judgement, for not only those who are perishing, but also for those who are saved. The reward or the benefit we may receive as a result for faithful service for the LORD is THE incentive which encourages and motivates us to persevere in good works. The service rendered to the LORD matters very much. In fact, Christ commands us to pursue rewards, the prize and to lay up treasures in heaven. Not to pursue them is to be disobedient. So, it pays to obey! Become a rewards member today!

 Salvation by grace through faith is a fee gift from God, not of works (Eph. 2:8-9). A reward (misthos) is a payments for work done or services rendered, for "the laborer is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7).

"Do not lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19-20).

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

Reward for Work Done Cannot be Obtained unless Grace is Given First:

Pursuing a Prize was Encouraged by the Apostle Paul:

Seeking Teasure is Commanded by the LORD Jesus:

The Discerning Believer Must First Differentiate Between Salvation and Rewards:

Salvation by Grace through Faith and Rewards for Work Done for Christ are Mutually Exclusive:

"And if salvation is by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise, work is no longer work" (Romans 11:6).

"God's divine power has given us all things that pertains to life and godliness" (1 Pete 1:3) then, "give all diligence to add to your salvation received by faith virtue, to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (5-7).

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" (Gal. 6:7-9).

Rewards are in heaven where God lives (Mt. 5:12).

Rewards are from the Father (Mt. 6:1). They are given openly by the Father for loving deeds do in secret (Mt. 6:4,6,18).

Rewards are given for loving those who hate you (Mt. 5:26; Lk. 6:23) Those who love their enemies, doing good, and lending, hoping for nothing in return; will receive a great reward, and they will be sons of the Most High (Lk 6:35).

Loving deeds, prayer and fasting done for the purpose of public show / before men will be rewarded before men (Mt. 6:2,5, 16).

Anyone who receives a prophet receives a prophet's reward; anyone who receives a righteous man, receives a righteous man's reward (Mt. 10:40-41).

A disciple who even does the smallest deed for another disciple will receive a reward (Mt. 10:42'; Mk. 9:41).

When the Son of God comes in glory he will reward His disciple each according to their works (Mt. 16:27) He will save his "psuche" life, profit and gain much.

Ministers of the Lord each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. (1 Cor 3:8).

Not every work by God's fellow works will be rewarded, only work that endures the test of fire will be rewarded (1 Cor. 3:9-15).

Paul preached the gospel without charge in order to receive a reward (1 Co. 9:17-18).

Disciples can be cheated out of their reward for false humility and by setting their minds on the things of this world (Col. 2:16-23).

Bondservants who obey their earthly masters sincerely and heartily as serving the Lord, fearing God will receive an inheritance reward (Col. 3:22-24), literally "a repayment" (antapodosis) or reimbursement.

Under the Law, "every transgression and disobedience received a just reward/punishment" (Heb 2:1) - misthapodosia - to give back, repayment.

For those who do not drawback from their confidence (to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor) in the Lord will receive a "misthapodosia" recompense of reward - payback (Heb. 10:35).

Moses look to the greater riches of Christ as a reward (payback) as compensation for walking away from the riches of Egypt (Heb. 11:26) even willing to suffer the affliction with God's people.

The children of God who do not fall victim to deception by those who deny that Christ has not come in the flesh will not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. (2 John 8).

There is coming a time when the Lord, God Almighty will reward His servants, prophets and His saints (Rev. 11:18).

Jesus is coming imminently, and His reward is with Him, to give to every one (His servants) according to their good work. (Rev 22:12).