Les Feldick suggests rewards in heaven are likely greater responsibility in ruling and reigning with Christ, rather than material possessions.
Based on the parable of the talents and 1 Corinthians 3, Les teaches that believers' rewards will correspond to their faithfulness, resulting in varied responsibilities in the kingdom economy. He cautions this is a suggestion, not absolute certainty, and distinguishes rewards from crowns.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 — This passage describes believers' works being tested by fire, with gold, silver, precious stones surviving, and wood, hay, stubble burned, illustrating reward based on service.
Matthew 25:14-30 — The parable of the talents shows faithful servants given authority over cities, which Les uses as a picture of rewards as responsibility.
The Bible teaches that believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due for their deeds, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, the apostle Paul describes each believer's work being tested by fire: if it is gold, silver, precious stones, it will survive; if wood, hay, stubble, it will be burned, yet the person will be saved, 'yet so as by fire.' The passage also mentions that every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour (1 Corinthians 3:8). Additionally, Jesus' parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates that faithful service leads to being given authority over many things, such as ruling over cities.
Les Feldick teaches that rewards in heaven are biblical and distinct from salvation. He emphasizes that rewards are based on the believer's Christian walk and service in this life, and they will come to fruition in the Kingdom economy when we rule and reign with Christ. He suggests that rewards are not necessarily material possessions but levels of responsibility in the kingdom's government, drawing from the parable of the talents where faithful servants rule over cities. He uses the analogy of preferring to be an active quarterback rather than sitting in the distant stands to illustrate the desirability of such responsibility. Les cautions that this is his suggested interpretation, not absolute certainty. He also clarifies that while rewards relate to responsibility, crowns are separate and will be laid at Jesus' feet. He concludes that eternity will be a place of intense activity, not boring idleness.
Les references the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) to illustrate how rewards may operate. He points out that the servant who gained ten talents was told he would rule over ten cities, while the one with five gained authority over five cities (implied). This teaches that our faithfulness in this life determines the extent of responsibility we will have in the kingdom. The one who was unfaithful suffered loss, though he remained a believer, analogous to the wood, hay, and stubble being burned.
Les distinguishes rewards from crowns. He states that rewards are responsibilities given in the kingdom (as described in 1 Corinthians 3 and the parable of the talents), whereas crowns are something else that believers will receive and then lay at Jesus' feet. The passage does not detail the nature of crowns, but Les clearly separates the two concepts.
According to Les, every believer will be present at the judgment seat of Christ, but not all will receive the same reward. He explains that a believer whose works are wood, hay, and stubble will be saved 'yet so as by fire,' but will suffer loss of reward. They will be in the kingdom, but not enjoy the benefits of reward. On the other hand, those who build with gold, silver, and precious stones will receive rewards, which he interprets as levels of responsibility.
Wood, Hay, Stubble and Reward
Les explains that a believer whose works burn will still be saved, but will suffer loss of reward, illustrating that rewards are distinct from salvation.
Rewards as Responsibility
Les teaches that rewards are likely various levels of responsibility in the kingdom, using the parable of the talents to show faithful servants ruling over cities.
Rewards and Levels of Responsibility
Les reiterates that rewards are levels of responsibility in ruling and reigning with Christ, based on the parable of the talents and 1 Corinthians 3.
Rewards in Kingdom Economy
Les states that rewards will be realized in the Kingdom economy and that our level of responsibility is based on our faithfulness here.
Rewards vs. Crowns
Les explains that the fiery eyes of Christ will test our works, and what remains (gold, silver, precious stones) will determine rewards, which he believes are responsibilities, separate from crowns.
Rewards as Compensation for Labor
Les ties rewards to being compensated with activity and responsibility in the kingdom, referencing Revelation 20 where saints reign with Christ.
Desirability of Responsibility
Les uses the analogy of being a quarterback versus sitting in the stands to express that rewards of responsibility are exciting and worth pursuing, not boring.
Eternity as Active, Not Boring
Les encourages that heaven and eternity will be intense activity, not monotonous, which supports the idea of meaningful responsibilities as rewards.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This passage directly addresses rewards for believers' works, distinguishing those that survive fire (reward) from those that burn (loss of reward).
Matthew 25:20-23: And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
This parable shows faithful service resulting in greater responsibility (rule over many things), which Les uses to illustrate rewards as responsibility.
Revelation 20:4: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
This describes believers reigning with Christ, supporting the idea of responsibilities in the kingdom as reward.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that salvation is a free gift, not earned by works, while rewards are earned through faithful service. A believer can be saved yet suffer loss of reward if their works are burned (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Les teaches that every believer will be present at the judgment seat, but not all will receive rewards. Those whose works are wood, hay, stubble will suffer loss, though they are still saved. Rewards are given to those who build with gold, silver, and precious stones.
Les suggests that rewards may be 'levels of responsibility' in the kingdom, based on the parable of the talents. Instead of possessions, believers receive authority to rule over cities or areas in Christ's kingdom economy.
Watch the Teaching: Will Your Works Burn? The Judgment Seat of Christ