Throughout Scripture the Bible refers to crowns we receive, like the crowns athletes earn for their victories. One mentioned is the crown of life. God grants eternal life to all those who love him, and it’s not a crawling-along, just-getting-by kind of life. It’s a full life filled with the energy of God.
The crown of righteousness is another. To us, righteousness has come to mean something almost negative. We think of people who are self-righteous and hard to be around, but the original meaning refers to being in right relation to yourself, to God, and to others without conflict or drama. Have you ever had one of those moments where everything lined up and the world was just right? That’s the reward.
Then there’s the crown of glory and honor. Have you ever been recognized or appreciated in front of others? It’s an amazing feeling. Multiply that feeling by a thousand. It’s the thrill of being recognized and approved by God.
Jesus also mentions that anything you have lost from following God—family unity, the loss of income or respect—will be repaid a hundredfold. Add to this the promise of heaven, a place with no death, no boredom, no evil, no ugliness, no abuse and no darkness. And the more you maximize your gifts and opportunities to build good things on the foundation of Jesus, the greater your reward. When you know the future, you can make the best of today.
