Jesus told two parables that both related to the kingdom of God.
In Luke 19 11:27 it is called the Parable of the Minas. In Matthew 25:14-30 it
is called the Parable of the Talents. Both talk about individuals using
resources given to them by a master who asks them to invest and multiply the
money given to them. When the master returns, he rewards those who worked hard
and made money. He rebukes and tosses aside those who did nothing.
The parable seems to indicate that we are the workers and Christ
is the master. We are to work and multiply those gifts given to us to lead
others to Christ. One day he will return and we must give an accounting for our
works. Our works will signify if we were really saved. Our works do not save
us, but those who work hard show that they truly understand their salvation.
So when the Master comes back, what are the rewards? Christ said
we are co-heirs and co-rulers in the kingdom of heaven. That doesn’t mean
Christ confides in us to reach a decision. It means that the success of heaven
has something to do with us. We share in the joy of the “day-to-day” activities
in eternity.
According to the parables, some receive more than others. It is
possible that some have more responsibility in heaven. Heaven is a place where
there is work to be done, since work was an important component of the original
garden paradise. Maybe some are mangers or governors or directors of certain
businesses or establishments. Heaven will not operate with any competition or
need to get ahead, so remove any thoughts of that.
The idea of crowns and thrones are simply metaphors for
accomplishments and cannot be seen as literal interpretations. In Revelation 4,
the twenty-four elders place their crowns at the feet of the Lord. If we do
have crowns, a reward of our accomplishments, they will be insignificant before
Christ, so we won’t wear them very long.
The other rewards will be the lives that we influenced while on
earth. Seeing the faces of people who
accepted Christ because of our witness will be the best "trophies" on
heaven's mantle.
So as for rewards, we receive the joy of knowing that we were used
to lead others into eternity and, once there, we may be given increased
responsibility to keep heaven running smoothly for eternity.