In my final year at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1964, we had prizes established by pharmaceutical companies for the best students in various subjects and for the best overall student. There happened to be two different prizes for the best overall student. Incidentally, only one of us grabbed the two prizes, making the rest of us appear envious. For exactly the same performance, this guy acquired two good prizes.
I strongly believe that God does not give His own rewards as in the case above. He does not duplicate rewards for the same good work done. God rewards good works, but if you have already received your reward from people, he deletes that reward from his own list. You cannot eat your cake and have it.
There will be surprises the day God will be distributing rewards in heaven. One person may be counting on 100,000 good things he thinks he has done, but unfortunately, only five may merit God’s reward. Another may be recording 10,000 good works but receive rewards for 100.
People who are popular in this world may not have much credit in heaven. While unknown and downtrodden people will flourish in heaven Don’t be surprised that the junior pastor may accumulate more credits in heaven than the general overseer. Apostle Paul has something interesting to say about these rewards in 1st Corinthians 3:12-15, which says, “Now anyone who builds on this foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.
But there is going to be a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burnt up, the builder will suffer a great loss. I believe that most of the works we do are of wood and straw and they will be burnt off on that day.
If we desire to build with gold, silver, and jewels, we must first understand some kingdom principles.
There are thousands of Nigerians who have received various awards, honours, and recognitions in their professions and communities. Some have received the National Merit Awards, but the criteria for these awards are not the criteria for God’s rewards and therefore they will be destroyed by fire during testing of works and their achievements.
It is good to acquire credits or what the Bible calls treasure while alive and also for credits to be enjoyed in heaven after this life. Both are important, but the treasure in heaven is more durable since it is everlasting. People fail to acquire everlasting credits because of ignorance. They do not know the difference between ordinary works and good works.
When you organise a dinner and invite your business associates, you have a motive for it. It may be a forum to reach certain people who will support your business.
It could even be in appreciation for what some of them have done for you. This is an ordinary work. On the other hand, if you organise a dinner for the destitute and homeless in the community, you are not expecting any form of help or favour from them. This is good work which God is ready to reward.
The Bible has an interesting story of the good Samaritan who helped a Jewish businessman who was attacked by robbers on his way to Jericho. This Samaritan offered first aid, took him to a clinic for further treatment and paid the bills. He did not ask for a refund for his expenses or even tried to introduce himself to the relations of the man in order to be appreciated.
That was a clear case of good work because people did not reward the man. God decides whether to reward people here or in heaven for their good works. There are certain rewards which are more useful on earth because they give us immediate relief or satisfaction, and such rewards make our faith in God to be stronger.
This makes us to give testimonies of God’s goodness to influence other people. However, when such rewards are given here, they are deleted from the list to be considered in heaven. The rewards here are only a foretaste of what will be given in heaven. The Scriptures say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1st Corinthians 2:9.
