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Keith L. Brooks, D.D.
T IS a natural human impulse to “lay up” for a rainy day. It is certainly legitimate that, if possi ble, we Christians should make some reasonable financial provision for the future. But our Lord warned His followers against amassing great treasure in this world, giving as one argument against it that either the forces of nature, or dishonest human beings, would make away with it in the end. He was using no mere fig ure of speech when He instructed His children to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matt. 6:20). Some Utopian dreamers appear to think that the ideal toward which so ciety should work is an equal division of earth’s resources to all peoples. Such a system, in a society com prised of individuals of different ca pacities and ambitions, is not only contrary to nature, but ever brings about utter confusion. Wherever an attempt to work out this ideology has been tried, it has only increased the injustices and inequalities of earth. Not even in Heaven itself will there be a common level, although all who reach that land will be as happy as they are capable of being. The Scriptures clearly teach that In this life we have the power to fix our status in that which is to follow. The use we make of present oppor tunities will have much to do with the development of future capacity for happiness and eternal service. Failure to grasp this teaching con cerning the believer’s reward for service means terrific *loss to the Christian. The average Christian thinks only of the gift of eternal life through grace as his future reward, whereas Scripture clearly teaches that he may, and is expected by God to, attain much more than his salva tion. Dr. Harry H. MacArthur states: “The appreciation of Heaven will be according to the depth of our experi ence on earth. We cannot live here according to our own wills, neglect ing divinely-sent opportunities, and then suppose we will be permitted to enjoy the highest possible bliss yon der. As there is a difference between the glory of the sun, the moon and
the stars, there will be differences in the resurrected saints. ‘One star differeth from another star in glory.’ There will be great diversity, not only in their bodies, but in their attain ments and their capacities to enjoy the resurrected state.” Have you stopped to think that while salvation itself is free (John 4:10; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8,9), rewards are offered to Chris tians for all service rendered in Christ’s name? Even the giving of a cup of cold water for His sake will be recompensed in Heaven (Matt. 10:42). The Scriptures are plain: "My re ward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12). “Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14). “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” (Matt. 16:27). “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them” (Matt. 25:19). “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). So, while salvation is a present possession (John 5:24), rewards are a future attainment, not to be received until the coming again of our Lord. Again, salvation is by grace (un merited favor) through faith, but for rewards we must labor. "Every man shall receive his own reward accord ing to his own labour” (1 Cor. 3:8). These rewards to be earned are held before true Christians to attract them away from the lures of the world and to sustain and encourage them in devoting their energies to things spiritual and eternal. God promises to those who have the gift of eternal life: a crown for enduring temptation (Jas. 1:12); a crown for living a temperate life (1 Cor. 9:25); a crown for winning souls (1 Thcss. 2:19); a crown for loving His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). The crown refers to the laurel wreath of honor which was given to the win ners in athletic contests. It signifies reward for real accomplishment. Paul deals in detail with the sub ject of rewards in 1 Corinthians 3:11-
Dr. Brooks 15. There assurance is given of the fireproof foundation—Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). On this Foundation alone can one build enduring works. But, unfortunately, some try to use perishable materials in building upon this Foundation. “Gold, silver, pre cious stones,” stand the test of fire, and, in fact, may be even beautified by fire. But “wood, hay, stubble,” are inflammable and will not last. They indicate works, which are merely the product of human wisdom and energy, and not the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through the believer. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest” (v. 13) when Christ comes for His own. The true character of what he has built will be proven. “It shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort [quality, not quantity] it is.” This is not a reference to hell-fire or a fictitious purgatory, as some claim. As the materials are figura tive, so is the fire. We are told that when we see Him at His coming, His eyes will be “as a flame of fire” (Rev. 1:14). The reference is to the pierc ing scrutiny of His look which will make every man conscious of all his failures. “The Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous” (Psa. 11:4, 5). “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon [that is, on Christ], he shall receive a reward. If any man'% work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be sdved Tbecause he is on the Foun dation]” (1 Cor. 3:14,15).
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