Well, Apostle Paul stated that the same crown of righteousness that is laid up for him is laid up for ALL who love His appearing. Sounds like an equal reward to me.
WE...
Never get to select our own reward.
It is given us by our Father who is a perfect, just, and righteous judge, including our heart attitude.
The one who thinks that his or her works will earn them a place in heaven is akin to the Pharisees that Jesus castigated for the same idea -- that their WORKS made them righteous (or more) in God's eyes.
That is never true.
Now, what was that verse about the least becoming the greatest?
:love2:
Really?
How is that?
If all who inherit heaven get a crown of righteousness, but there are other rewards as well, then it would seem that your argument is null.
jesus told the story of a person working 1 hour getting same wage as one who worked all day long...
salvation itself is a free gift from the lord unto His saints... BUT
Good works DO matter after getting saved, as the motre faithful we are to him down here in fulfilling His plans/purposes in each of our lives, more he will entrust us with in heaven....
There iare eternal consquences/rewards, loss of such to "deed done while in the flesh/here on earth"...
And, the context of that parable of Jesus was salvation.
Those saved early or those saved late all inherit.
The context was not "reward."
In a sense, salvation cannot even be seen as a "reward" for we have and can do NOTHING to earn it.
It is unmerited favor and a gift, which is a different thing than what it is that we do with that gift once it is received.
The parable of the talents is about faithful service, and of unfaithful service. It contrasts two people who are saved and get different levels of responsibility for service and one that is not saved and proves it by not serving.
Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord.
There are several crowns mentioned in scripture--including one for martyrs. We are told to lay our treasures up in heaven, but many will be there because they're saved but will have no rewards or crowns to show for their life here as a child of God. Why should those who get saved and do nothing for the Lord receive the same rewards and crowns as those who diligently work for the Lord and make many sacrifices in His name--including their life?
This may be a little off topic, but we are NOT going to live in heaven for all eternity. God will recreate the universe & we will live eternally on the new earth. 2 Peter 3
I believe our existence will be very similar to that of Adam & Eve before the fall.