Certainly, one of the cornerstones of Reformation theology is the doctrine of “Sola Gratia” (grace alone). Our salvation and standing with God is totally a function of God’s grace (Eph. 2:8). Our works do not contribute to our standing before Him. Instead, only Christ’s perfect life imputed, and sacrificial death substituted, can establish our righteousness. This is all of grace. Then what are we to make of passages like 1 Corinthians 3:8-15?
"8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
Here, Paul is specifically talking about the work of leaders “building the church” in various ways. A reward based on the quality of one's work is definitely in view here. Is this contradictory to “Sola Gratia”? First, it should be realized that Paul is not talking about salvation at all. This is evident in verse 15 where Paul tell us that some works may be judged unworthy of the foundation of Christ on which they were built, and consequently consumed by fire at the day of judgment. And yet the person “will be saved, yet so as through fire”; an unpleasant prospect, but still better than damnation. The judgment described here is distinct from salvation. Our salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
Secondly, the concept of reward is not contrary to grace, but in fact, perfectly in line with it. The distinction is between reward and wage, not between reward and work. A reward is still a gift, not an earned wage. The one who works for a wage is owed something; he deserves the payment (Rom. 4:4). But a reward is a gift, not an obligation. It may be an incentive, based on the performance of a task, but it is not “owed”. A reward is a function of grace.
If I lost my dog, I might put up signs offering a reward of $100 for its return. I also might hire someone for $100 to find my dog. The employee is owed payment based on his work. The person who receives a reward is owed nothing, but graciously and thankfully rewarded. God owes us nothing. On the contrary, we owe Him perfect and willing obedience. And yet, even though we are only doing our duty (Lk. 17:10), God lovingly and graciously grants reward for faithful service.
At times, I think we almost view heaven as a “communist state”; everyone will be rewarded equally as long as we are found in Christ. This idea subtly entices us towards worldliness. Why not be self-indulgent (not sinning, but within the bounds of Christian morality) if heaven is the same for everyone? Why not pursue the best of this world? But heaven will not be the same for everyone. Our rewards will vary and they will be based on how we built on the foundation of Christ and His gospel.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21)
