Types of Rewards and Crowns for Believers in Heaven

Did you know that believers in Jesus Christ will be given differing rewards and crowns in heaven, based on what they did while on Earth? Jesus made it clear in his teachings that he would come back again one day and he would reward each one of us based on what we have done. He compared himself to a man who traveled to a far country and left his servants in charge of all he owned and later came back to take account.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey…After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them

Matthew 25:14,15,19

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 16:27

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 22:12

Saved by faith to do good works

We are saved freely by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Our works do not save us, but we are saved to do good works which God has ordained for us. Faith without works is dead. Every true child of God will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Jesus said that those who do not bear fruit will be cut off and cast into the fire. We are the light of the world and are to let our light shine by our good works.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 4;10

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:14

Our rewards for the work we do after we are saved will be different for each person, based on their motives, and degree of faithfulness. God is a just and faithful God, and the bible tells us he shows no partiality. He will therefore reward us all fairly based on what we have done and our level of faithfulness. If we all received similar rewards, then God would not be just or fair.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 

What determines our rewards and crowns in heaven?

1. Faithfulness to gifts, ministries, or talents given by God

Each of us is gifted differently according to the measure of the grace of Christ upon us. And God expects us to use those gifts to serve him and our fellow men. We are given the special privilege of being labourers together with God. God has given us the joy of being his ambassadors. We get to partner with him in the great work of salvation and to make disciples of mankind. Our gifts are meant to serve this purpose. Do you know what gifts God has given you? Have you started using them to serve him?

Jesus demonstrated the fact that we all are given different talents in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. Each of the servants was given different talents. Each was then expected to give an account of when the master returned. Those who multiplied their talents were rewarded accordingly. The servant who was given one talent did not use it but buried it. He was called unprofitable and cast into outer darkness. This servant did nothing with all Jesus had given him. He proved by this that he was not genuinely born again; his light was hidden.

2. Laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, this world is not our home. Jesus said that we are not of this world, just as he was not of this world. We are citizens of heaven. We are only pilgrims on this earth, and as such we are not to lay up our treasures on earth. This means that we must never have as our focus only worldly ambitions, accumulating possessions, and accolades for ourselves on earth.

Instead, as citizens of another country (heaven), our goal should be to represent our home country. We should use whatever we have or get here to advance our home country and its goals. This is what it means to be heavenly-minded. When we do this, we are laying up treasures for ourselves on earth.

As we serve our master and his cause, we are gaining rewards and crowns in heaven. We will find them waiting for us when we get home; these are true and eternal riches which shall never perish. The Bible says that our works follow us who are righteous. Those who only focus on earthly ambitions are those who regard the world as their home. Are you heavenly-minded in your pursuits? Are you using your early possessions and efforts to advance God’s kingdom?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

3. Obedience to the Lord and his commands

Our rewards and crowns will also depend on our obedience to the Lord’s instructions on how we should serve him and love him and others. Many of these rewards are based on our faithfulness, love, self-sacrifice, endurance, the quality of our walk with Jesus, and obedience to his instructions for service.

The quality of everyone’s work will not be the same. Paul tells us that everyone’s work will be tested by fire to see what kind it is. This means that though many will enter heaven, their rewards will vary based on the nature of their works. One’s level of responsibility, position, and glory in heaven will depend on what kind of Christian life they lived on earth. It is clear from the word of God that the glory and honor we all receive will vary.

every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Below is a list of some of the rewards and crowns mentioned in the New Testament by Jesus and some of the Apostles with scripture references. Please note that it may not be a comprehensive list. But hopefully, it will stir you up to study your bible more, and also stir you up for good works by the Lord’s grace.

Type of Rewards and Crowns

Rewards:

1. Rewards for being faithful in our earthly duties and to our earthly masters

• “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8
• “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:22-24

2. Rewards specifically for the 12 Apostles

• “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:27-28
• “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” Revelation 21:14

3. Rewards for giving to the poor  in secret

• “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:1-4
• “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 10:42
• “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17

4. Rewards for receiving God’s servants

• “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” Matthew 10:41

5. Rewards for being persecuted for being a follower of Jesus and for righteousness’ sake

• “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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 5:10-12

6. Rewards for loving and being good to one’s enemies and the ungrateful

• “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. Luke 6:35
• “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” Matthew 5:46
• “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” Proverbs 25:21-22

7. Rewards for fasting in secret

• “That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:18

8. Rewards for praying in secret

• “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:5-6

9. Rewards for preachers and shepherds

• I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
• “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” 2 John 1:8
• “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17

10. Rewards for martyrs and those who endure suffering for the name of Christ and the gospel

• “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” Hebrews 10:34-35
• “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4
• “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Timothy 2:12
• “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Hebrews 11:26

11. Rewards for winning souls (evangelism) and preaching the gospel

• “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3
• “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:36
• “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
• I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  3:6-8

12. Rewards for faithful stewardship of the gifts God has given us

• “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23
• “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17

Crowns

“I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11

1. Crown of Life

Crown for persevering under trials and temptations because of love for the Lord. Also called the martyr’s crown.

• “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12
• “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

2. Incorruptible Crown

Crown for self-denial and perseverance in the Christian walk.

• “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

3. Crown of Righteousness

Crown for those who love and long for the Lord’s second appearing; those waiting for him.

• “in the future 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.” 2 Timothy 4:8

4. Crown of Glory

Crown for pastors or elders who shepherd the Lord’s flock faithfully and as good examples.

• “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4

5. Crown of Rejoicing

Crown for those who engage in evangelism.

• “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19
• “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” Philippians 4:

Let no man take your crown

I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Revelation 3:11

The Lord is faithful. Our labor for him is not in vain. Everything we do out of love for him and our fellow men will be rewarded. But our chief motivation for service should be love for Jesus. He has done so much for us, the least we can do is serve him by winning souls and making disciples. That is what he cares most about and that is the great commission he left us.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

As long as we abide in him, study and meditate on his word, seek him, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, he will show us what he wants to do and what gifts he has given to us that we can use to serve him. It is God who gives us the desire and ability to serve him.

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:13

Have you given your life to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He has prepared a wonderful home for us in heaven, where those who love him and obey him will spend eternity. He loves us so much that he left heaven and came to earth, died for us on the cross taking our sins upon him, conquered death by rising from the dead, and made a way for us who were dead in sin to be reconciled back to the Father. Learn more here.

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