Apparently, winning the Super Bowl is overrated. That’s what A. J. Brown, winning wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, said. He earned his first Lombardi Trophy in the 2025 Super Bowl, scoring a touchdown in the Birds' dominant 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. In an Instagram post, Brown said it didn’t take long for the euphoria to evaporate. In another Instagram post a few days after, he was definitely not sitting on top of the world.
"After a few days, I’ve had time to reflect on being a champion. I tried to feel how everyone made it seem to be a champion and unfortunately it was short lived … two days to be exact LOL.” This statement was attached to a photo of his touchdown from the game. The reward didn’t last very long.
Though there is nothing wrong with earning and receiving awards from people on earth, it does not compare to any reward from God.
“All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-26a NLT
Rewards from God will never fade away. Jesus says, “At the resurrection of the dead, I will repay you. If you take care of the poor and needy for me, I will repay you after death.” That is a shocker. The resurrection of the just means you have died as an obedient follower. Christ is linking it together. “What you do for me here will determine what I do for you on the other side.”
You will be rewarded for everything you did in obedience to Jesus while on this Earth. Your good actions, speech, and thoughts, your character and good decisions, and your generosity and sacrifices are all being noticed by God. You’ll be rewarded for loving your enemies and for not giving up when it was difficult to do the right thing.
Will anyone be in heaven because of you? You will be rewarded for bringing other people to Jesus Christ.
You will be rewarded for responding like Christ to criticism and for being persecuted as a believer. That’s why Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
These rewards have nothing to do with earning your salvation. The only way you get into heaven is by faith in what Jesus Christ has already done for you. You DON’T get into heaven by your good works, but when you get there, you will be rewarded for them.
Many verses tell us about this. Matthew 10:42 NLT says, “If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
This simple act of kindness impresses God. Every time you are kind in His name, God notices.
Jesus said, “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great.” Luke 6:35 NLT
He notices.
You get to decide where you want your rewards. Do you want them in this life, or do you want them in the next life? If you choose this life’s rewards – like popularity, wealth, fame, success, and comfort – then you will enjoy them for only 80 years or so, if you’re lucky. But if you live with the right focus, there will be rewards in heaven to enjoy forever.
Don’t settle for the rewards this world has to offer. As a child of God, you have so much more to live for and look forward to.