God’s Criteria for Rewarding Every Believer

Bema Seat at Philippi

This is the third and last study in the series on the Bema Seat judgment. The subject that I want to talk about is God’s criteria for giving every believer rewards. We are also going to talk more about the types of rewards that we may receive. I want to start with 2 Corinthians 5:9. It says,

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NASB)

I want you to notice that the apostle Paul says “we also have as our ambition.” The Greek word for ambition has the idea of a strong desire. Therefore, the characteristic of a believer is that they will have a strong desire to please God. That is a mark of a true believer. The implication is a strong desire to please Him in every way.

Bema Seat Identified

Now verse 10 introduces the Bema Seat Judgment. It introduces the place where believers are going to be judged. It tells us,

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NASB)

The phrase “the judgment seat” actually comes from one Greek word, bema. That is how we get the term “bema seat.” We have made the point before that the bema seat in Paul’s day was a platform on which the Olympic athletes would stand to receive a reward if they had been successful in their Olympic event.

For example, the Olympic games in the time of the apostles included boxing matches, field events, javelin throwing, and chariot racing, to name a few. The winners ended up standing on the bema to receive a reward. The reward was a wreath. We often think of a wreath like a crown.

Today we give our Olympic athletes either a gold, silver, or bronze medal. So, Paul is telling us that we will receive a reward. There are different kinds of rewards as we will soon learn. Paul is telling us in verse 10 the bema seat is a reward ceremony for believers.

Then Paul added that every believer will be at the Bema Seat of Christ. Notice that he says, “of Christ.” This is not someone else’s Bema Seat. This is not your Bema Seat or your pastor’s Bema Seat. This is the Bema Seat of Christ. Every one of us will stand before Christ some day. We are going to be recompensed according to what we have done for Christ.

Bema Seat Rewards

The Greek word for recompensed has the idea that we “receive back what is due.” We are also told that what we receive will be according to the deeds we did in the body. That is, what we did during our time here on earth. This agrees with Jesus’ encouragement for us to store up treasure in heaven and not here on this earth. (Matthew 6:19-21). So, this should motivate us to work hard for Christ.

The phrase “must all appear” at the very beginning of the verse reveals that every believer will some day stand before Christ and be evaluated. The word “appear” comes from a Greek word that has the idea of full exposure, to make known, or to be fully known. We are going to be thoroughly examined. God will do the examining. He will evaluate our works, our ministry, and all that we did for Christ.

Now you ask, “Will this be a bad experience? Am I going to be punished in some way? Is this going to be an embarrassing time?” Romans 8:1 tells us that this will not be a bad experience.

Therefore there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NASB)

So this judgment will not be one of condemnation. We have already been told that this judgment is one of rewards. We have learned already that the Olympic athletes received a reward for being the best, being the greatest. Therefore, the Bema Seat of Christ is not about judgment. It is about rewards.

If we think about it for a while, we should wonder why will believers get a reward, when the Holy Spirit is the One empowering us and helping us to do ministry? It is difficult to sometimes put all these pieces together. Yet, we are told in Hebrews 6:10 that God would be unjust if He did not remember our ministry to others. Now how should we understand that? If God is the One who helps perform our ministry, why would He be unjust if He forgot what we did?

God is clearly trying to motivate us to do something! If we minister for Christ for righteous reasons, then we will receive a reward. This is really an interesting passage of Scripture because we are told that we are going to be thoroughly examined at the Bema Seat of Christ. Then we are going to be recompensed or receive back. We are going to be rewarded for what we did.

In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul revealed that He is at the end of his life. He wrote,

I have fought the good fight… 2 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)

I was emotionally moved that he said the word good “fight.” He is was talking about the ministry. He described the ministry, what we do for Christ as a good fight, just as if we were athletes in the Olympic games. Then in verse 8 he said,

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 (NASB)

Both verses 7 and 8 give us all the ingredients of 2 Corinthians 5:10. They speak of ministry as fighting the good fight, of Christ as judge, and then receiving the reward. Paul said, “I am going to get the crown of righteousness.” The crown of righteousness refers to the imputed righteousness of Christ that is given to every one who believes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). The crown of righteousness of Christ is the gift of imputed righteousness that is given to every believer. As a result, every believer before God the Father is seen to be as righteous as Christ.

So the message is that every believer is going to stand before Christ one day. We will be examined, and then be rewarded for the deeds we have done in this life for Christ.

How God Determines Our Rewards

Now how will God determine the rewards that He will give to believers? 1 Corinthians 3:8 is an important passage for there Paul clearly explained that God is going to review every believer’s works. He will test every believer’s works with fire. Then depending upon what is left after the fire, God will reward each believer. We will start with verse 6,

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NASB)

Paul said that believers are expected to plant and water, but it is God who causes the growth. Notice that believers are not responsible to cause the growth. It is God who receives the credit for the result. Yet, each believer will be given a “reward according to your own labor.” The idea is that each individual believer will be rewarded according to their effort.

Verses 10-11 add,

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NASB)

Paul told us that it is important how each believer builds in verse 10. Paul said that there is only one foundation that we should lay. The foundation is not some nation, church, ministry, or a believer’s honor. The only foundation a believer should strive to lay is that of Jesus Christ. For we will only be rewarded for building on Christ. We are to share the gospel, teach the Scriptures, and bring Christ glory and honor.

Verse 12-14 says,

Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NASB)

Here Paul gave us an illustration. He said that believers might build with gold, silver, precious stones, or with wood, hay, and straw. The gold, silver, or precious stones symbolize unusual faithfulness and commitment in spiritual service to Christ (2 Timothy 2:1-2). Hay, wood, and stubble represent a wasted service and effort. Working for a church is not necessarily doing a spiritual work for Christ. It depends upon for whom it is done and what is done. In this illustration, Paul used figurative language when he says that Christ will burn our works with fire. The point is that fire will destroy the worthless works.

So the question is, with what do believers build? With what are you building? In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus gives us a parable about a rich man who amasses a great amount of wealth. We are told in the passage that he retired and planned to enjoy his life. God called him a fool. The message of the parable is given in verse 21.

So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:21 (NASB)

So Jesus is the foundation. We are not to be building for ourselves. Our focus is to be on Christ. Our focus is to be the gospel. So when he warns us to be careful how we build, he said it for a reason. Any believer can engage in worthless effort. So how are you building? When you stand before Christ and fire is applied to your works, what will be left? Verse 14 says it this way,

If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:14 (NASB)

Three Criteria for Rewards

There are three criteria that God will use to determine what kinds of rewards a believer will be given. The first criteria is that of faithfulness. Notice what 1 Corinthians 4:2 says,

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB)

The word for “steward” really refers to a manager. We often think of it as being related or connected with money, but the Greek word just means a manager. The point is that believers do not own it. God has given something to us to manage, and we are to be trustworthy. When God gives us something that He owns, He expects us to be faithful with what He has given us to manage. That is the idea.

We can ask some individuals to do a task, and they might be very interested and say, “I will do that for Christ, I will do it for the church.” But they are not faithful and not dependable. You and I cannot trust them to complete the effort.

As I was preparing this study, I searched the Scriptures and discovered that God frequently discusses the lazy person. He keeps denouncing the lazy person. They are not faithful and dependable. They are not trustworthy. Here is one example from 2 Timothy 2:3-6.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:3-6 (NASB)

So, for what is God looking? He is looking for a believer who is faithful, dependable, and hard-working in His service to Christ. So, faithfulness is the first criteria that Christ will use in evaluating our work for Him.

The second criteria that God will use to determine what rewards a believer will receive is given in 1 Corinthians 4:5.

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB)

In this verse, Paul used a poetic style to explain that God is going to reveal the hidden motives of every believer. Jesus did that to the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-33). Christ knows our hearts. He knows our real attitudes and motives for what we call “service.” The truth is that our service may not have been for Christ. Then depending upon the evaluation, a believer may receive praise from God. Based upon the evaluation you will get a reward from God. So the question is, for what motives is God looking? 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us,

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)

This verse describes the purest motive! A believer should do everything for the glory of God, and not for his or her glory. When you are involved in ministry, your goal must not be to hear that your service for Christ was wonderful. For repeatedly in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us that because the Pharisees sought the praise of men, and did receive praise, then they had received their reward in full (Matthew 6:1, 2, 5, 16). That is, they would not receive any reward in heaven. So the question is, “From whom do you want to receive your reward?” Do you want it here on earth, or do you want it in heaven?

So our motive in a broad sense, should be for the glory of God. Then specifically, we do it for Christ and for the sake of the gospel. That is the message of Mark 10:29-31. There Jesus states our service must be “for My sake and for the gospel’s sake” if we desire to be rewarded. He adds that even if a believer leaves everything that they have, they will not receive a reward unless our motivation was for Christ and the gospel.

Unfortunately there are those who think they are serving Christ, but they are not. In Philippians 1:15, the apostle Paul told us that some people are not involved in the ministry for the glory of God, for Christ, or for the gospel. They are in it for themselves.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. Philippians 1:15-17 (NASB)

It is important to notice that Paul made a number of very significant points. He talked about people preaching and sharing about Christ. He mentioned that some of them are doing it out of jealousy and for strife and for their own personal gain. We are told that they also perform works out of selfish ambition. That is, for their own personal gain. The obvious point is that they do not have pure motives. What was your motivation? Why did you do what you do?

Luke 6:5 gives us another motivation.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Luke 6:35 (NASB)

Finally, whatever we do, we are to serve Christ and not expect anything in return. So whatever we do, we do it without expecting anything in return.

Now I want you to look at the third criteria God uses to determine our rewards. 1 Corinthians 9:16 says,

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16 (NASB)

The verse is really simple. Paul said, “I feel this obligation. My compulsion is that I need to preach the gospel. I am under compulsion, I have to do this.” Then he said, “Woe is me if I do not!” Then he said it differently so that we do not miss his point. He said, “If I do not preach the gospel, it is woe to me.” Verse 17 reads,

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 1 Corinthians 9:17 (NASB)

Look at the first part of the verse. He said, “For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward.” The word for “voluntarily” in the Greek means “willingly, you want to do this.” So Paul said he was supposed to preach the gospel, and if he did it because he really wanted to do it, he did it eagerly and willingly, then he would receive a reward.

Remember earlier in 2 Corinthians 5:9, he said whatever we do, our ambition should be to please the Lord. That is the same idea. Whatever we do for Christ, we need to do it with eagerness!

The apostle Paul spoke of his eagerness to serve Christ in Romans 1:15. He said,

So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Romans 1:15 (NASB)

Paul was driven by a passion to preach the gospel, to be what God wanted him to be. The apostle Peter urged elders to serve Christ with eagerness in 1 Peter 5:2.

Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness. 1 Peter 5:2 (NASB)

What is the message to an elder? He is to eagerly shepherd the flock of Christ.

So, three criteria that God will use to determine our rewards are 1) our faithfulness, 2) our motivations, and 3) our eagerness.

Do Not Lose Your Reward

Turn to 2 John 8. It tells us that a believer can lose a reward. It says,

Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 2 John 8 (NASB)

If we look at verse 7, John was talking about hospitality for false teachers. Do you know anyone who is a false teacher? Have you ever extended hospitality to a Jehovah’s Witness, a Mormon, or a false teacher in your home? Then you violated the command in 2 John 7-8. You lost a reward.

Also look at Colossians 2:18. It says,

Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, Colossians 2:18 (NASB)

Here Paul speaks of a prize. Then he warns believers to not commit various kinds of sins. The implication is that because of our behavior, we can also lose a reward.

How To Receive A Reward

Mark 9:41 is another important passage,

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. Mark 9:41 (NASB)

Now this is an interesting verse spoken by Christ! He said that if we give water to someone because they are a follower of Christ, then we will not lose our reward. That means there is a reward for supporting those in the ministry.

So Paul says that we need to be careful how we build. We must serve for the glory of God, for the glory of Christ, and for the gospel. We must serve so as not to lose a reward. Would it not be terrible to go to heaven and find out that you had lost some rewards? God has warned us.

The Crowns—Our Rewards

At the end of the second study, I taught about the Imperishable Crown, the Crown of Exultation, Crown of Righteousness, Crown of Life, and the Crown of Glory. Therefore, I will not teach about them again. Let me just summarize them, by saying that all five crowns describe some aspect of eternal life. Believers will experience joy now and in heaven. We will be as righteous as Christ. That is the Crown of Righteousness. The Crown of Life is another term for eternal life in heaven with our God. The Imperishable Crown reveals that we will never die. So, the two crowns of Crown of Life and the Imperishable Crown speak of our eternal existence in heaven. Finally, the Crown of Glory describes what we will look like and reflect about Christ (Daniel 12:3).

A Prophet’s and Righteous Man’s Rewards

Now I want to share about a few other rewards that you could potentially be given. The first one is a prophet’s reward. We read about it in Matthew 10:41.

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. Matthew 10:41 (NASB)

Jesus says, “Someone who ‘receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.” That implies that there is a reward for prophets. The next thing He says is if we receive a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, we will receive a righteous man’s reward. That implies that there is a reward for a righteous man.

So we just learned about the rewards for prophets and for righteous men. But it also implies that even though a believer may not be a prophet, a believer can receive a prophet’s reward. That is very interesting! A prophet is someone who speaks for God. Prophesying is part of speaking for God. This could be a pastor, a missionary, or anyone who is speaking for God.

Therefore, if you receive a prophet because he is a prophet you will receive a prophet’s reward. Or, if you receive a righteous man because he is a righteous man, you will receive a righteous man’s reward. We will have to wait until we arrive in heaven to discover what those rewards are like.

Important Fact About Rewards

I want you to see another reward. This is in 1 Timothy 6:17.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NASB)

This verse speaks about those who are wealthy in this world. Verses 18-19 add,

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 1 Timothy 6:18 (NASB)

So what are they supposed to be doing? Storing up treasure in . . . heaven! That is what they should doing. Jesus referred to storing up treasure in heaven in Matthew 6:20, but it is interesting that Jesus identifies the treasure. We have had to search for the answer.

Conclusion

Here is a question for you today: Are you looking for a reward? Did you know that there is a reason to work for Christ? Did you know that there is a reason to be faithful, to have the right motives, to serve Him eagerly? Why else would God tell us about these things in Scripture? The answer is He wanted to motivate us. He wants us to understand that there will be a reward ceremony in heaven some day. He does not want us to be surprised when you get to heaven, and have you say, “You never told me!” Why did He do that? He loves us and He wants to encourage us to have rewards.

We have a wonderful Savior who has forgiven us and given us eternal life. Someday He is going to give us rewards. Let us pray.