What Will Last?
Psalm 62:12 and the Rewards of a Life Lived for the King
“You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
— Psalm 62:12
Ok. I struggled and wrestled with the reward thing this morning.
I am competitive.
To add more context, I am still being redeemed from my childhood, moving into three different homes with different parents in four years, from nine to fourteen.
You may be able to see why I struggle with it. Maybe you don’t— and if you don’t, comment below on what helps you. But for those who do, keep reading. I think there is some great understanding about rewards that will correct your perspective and empower it!
Why Do We Struggle With Reward?
The idea that some believers might get “more treasure” or “greater reward” in heaven can feel weird or even off. Especially if, like me, you didn’t get the picturesque childhood for bold ministry.
What if others had fewer wounds, fewer strongholds, fewer setbacks?
What if they got to do more for the kingdom, while you were trying to survive?
Is God playing favorites?
Is heaven graded?
Is this just performance by another name?
What Scripture Teaches
God does reward, but not the way the world does.
Salvation, thankfully, is FREE!
“By grace you have been saved… not by works, so that no one can boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
We’re saved by faith, not works. That’s non-negotiable. Why is this challenging to accept? In the world we live in, we are taught to earn everything, so anything free is complicated to receive.
But Rewards Are Real
“The Son of Man… will reward each person according to what they have done.”
— Matthew 16:27“Each one’s work will be shown for what it is… If it survives, the builder will receive a reward.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:13–14
God doesn’t forget obedience. Like a father or mother who is proud of their child for obeying without them asking, celebrates their children, He celebrates it as well. Not because He needs it, but because He loves faithfulness. Great, James, but how does that look in heaven?
The Cup That Overflows — And the One That’s Formed on Earth
Here’s what helped me most. Think about a cup:
Every believer in heaven will have a cup of joy, glory, and intimacy with Christ.
That cup will be filled to the brim. No one will feel cheated.
But some cups will be larger because of what they surrendered, suffered, or sacrificed.
And that capacity is formed here, on earth.
Not by performance.
Not by platform.
But by abiding by obedience, saying “yes” no matter whether it is the mountaintop or the valley,
In the presence of God, the size of others’ cups will not make you jealous. You will be genuinely happy for them. But that doesn’t excuse what we do on earth.
Fruitfulness ≠ Visibility
One man might preach to thousands.
Another might battle addiction, anxiety, or trauma their entire life, and still show up for Jesus.
Who gets the greater reward?
The short answer is, only God knows.
Because He doesn’t reward results, He rewards faithful surrender.
That means a mother who disciples her children faithfully for 20 years may shine brighter than a bestselling pastor. Or, a wounded man who forgives his abuser may receive a greater reward than someone who led a stadium revival.
God sees the cost.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” (Mark 12:43)
The cost is real based on surrendered faithfulness, but can rewards grow in heaven?
In Heaven, Will We Keep Growing?
Rewards will not grow, but we will.
“In the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace…”
— Ephesians 2:7
We’ll never stop growing in love, joy, and understanding. Let me repeat that, you won't suddenly get your PhD in God. There are endless amounts of God to love. And you'll never reach the end. Yes, it is mind-blowing and incredible.
But what about rewards?
Our role, glory, and reward are assigned based on our life on earth.
But your cup? It overflows forever.
However, the size of the cup is formed now.
What This Means for You (and Me)
If you’ve lived feeling behind—wounded, unseen, slower to heal — let this free you:
God is not grading your life against anyone else’s.
He is only looking for faithfulness with what He gave you. And if you say yes, especially in the fire, your reward will match the surrender.
“These light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory…”
— 2 Corinthians 4:17
You're not behind.
You're being built into a vessel that can carry eternal fire.
Never Finished Challenge: Don’t Waste the Fire
How many of you have known great athletes and witnessed ‘waste’ of talent? Frustrating right? Even more so, wasting your spiritual gift is not only frustrating but sad.
This life is short.
The reward is forever.
So:
Abide deeply. If you can't spend daily time with Him in a non-rushed manner, I know someone you can ask. He happens to run the universe and is not constricted by time.
Obey even when it costs. Yep, even when it costs finances, health, and friendships. God can redeem those things. But He can’t force you to obey.
Pour yourself out for others, then return to the secret place to be refilled.
Run your race, not someone else’s. Stop comparing.
And when the enemy whispers,
“You’ll never catch up,”
You answer:
“I was never racing anyone else. I’m running with the King and for the smile of my King.”
What does today say about God?
Enough.
He is more than enough.
When I meet with Him daily, He gives me a glimpse that destroys decades of earthly confusion.
He continues to light the fire…over and over again.
What a Father,
What a Friend,
What a King!
Thank you, Jesus.