Question:
Dear Greg,
The
New Testament often refers to “works” as being the basis for receiving a
reward. What are the “works”
spoken about?
Ralph
Answer: Dear Ralph,
I
am not sure how you are defining “often” and “the basis” and “a
reward.” My answer will presume
that such definitions lie at the heart of your question.
The
primary passages often referred to are two of Jesus’ parables—the parable of
the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 and the somewhat related parable of the ten
minas, or as it is known in the KJV, the pounds (Luke 19:11-27).
Both parables present a man “going on a journey”—Luke is more
specific about the man—he is of noble birth.
Both parables are introduced by explaining that they were given to help
teach about the kingdom of heaven (Matthew) and to counter the idea that the
kingdom of God would “appear at once” (Luke).
The
formula is similar in both parables—three servants were given gifts (Matthew,
five talents, two talents, and one talent—with Luke being ten minas, five
minas and one mina). They were
called to account for the gifts they were given when the master returned.
He rewarded the two who had used what they had been given, while taking
the one talent/mina from the individual who had buried it and giving it to the
one who had multiplied the ten he had been given.
What
is the lesson? Some believe that
this teaching contradicts and negates all that the New Testament says (and in
this case it is often) about salvation being by grace.
Some believe that these two references suggest that salvation is earned
by what we do with what we have been given.
But no such indication is given in either parable.
There is no mention of entrance into God’s kingdom of heaven being
earned by industriousness or merit.
What
do these passages infer? Since many passages teach that salvation is by grace and
since the Bible does not contradict itself (and even if it did, the
preponderance of evidence would teach that salvation is by grace, not by works),
then this passage must not be talking about salvation.
Thus we can conclude by basic rules of understanding and interpreting the
Bible that these passages (and others you may have in mind) that speak of
“rewards” do not speak of salvation. Further,
logic would suggest that there are no rewards if there is no entrance into
God’s kingdom of heaven—therefore rewards are dependent upon grace and given
only to those who accept God’s grace.
So
what can we conclude about rewards? In
both passages the servants of the Master are GIVEN GIFTS.
1.
So, from the outset, we see that whatever the gift is (symbolized by a
2.
He asks that the gift be used. What
gifts are Christians given that might be
3.
So, upon what “basis” will there be a reward, after we are saved (for
no reward can be given in the context of eternity unless we are first saved) by
grace? The basis would appear to be
how we have shared, communicated and told others about what God has given to us.
As one great evangelist once said, “My task is simple.
All God wants me to do is to tell others what he has done for me.
I am a beggar who simply goes and tells other beggars where I found the
Bread of Life.”
4.
Nothing is said here about obedience, works, duties, meritorious service,
how
5.
Based upon these two passages and others (Psalm 84:10 and 1 Corinthians
15:38-41), some believe that there are distinctions of rewards in the kingdom of
heaven. That would assume that
these two parables are given to describe our eternal inheritance but not
everyone agrees. The kingdom of
heaven is not necessarily simply a destination, but it is what we live out, as
Christians, every day of our lives. Thus,
the example of what the servants of the Master did or did not do with the gifts
he gave them.
6.
The idea that we will have rewards based upon any kind of physical
In
Christ,
Greg
Albrecht