2 Cor 5:10 rewards

[sthudium]

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Cor 5:10

Many of my Evangelical friends believe that our heavenly reward will be a better eternal state of happiness, sort of a better eternal zip code than where others live forever. On the other hand, I would like to think that we will all have the same happiness (same zip code) but be decorated with different medals for earthly accomplishment. What is the Catholic teaching on this?

 

[KJW5551]

CCC #1027: “This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description.”

I think sometimes as Catholics we want answers to every question when sometimes mystery will suffice. In this case, a beautiful mystery.

 

[KatyCatholic]

yep, eye has not seen nor ear has heard what God has prepared for us. the danger of speculation is that we expect something that we think we want now but have no idea as to what’s to come. better to trust in God’s promises than to expect something that we think we want.

 

[gregoryphealy]

This sounds awfully similar to the reward mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

The “evil” at the end of 2 Cor 5:10 has been interpreted by others to be more along the lines of “worthless”, which would be in line with the work that is burned up in 1 Cor 3:12-15. And 1 Cor 3:12-15 references purgatory (among Catholics), so that could be part of the “recompense” mentioned in 2 Cor 5:10.

As for the the varying nature of the “recompense” each will receive, we don’t know what that entails. It’s all speculation regardless of who you listen to, so it’s best not to fret over it. For all we know, the reward each receives could be incomparable to the reward another receives. If you receive salvation and you’re in the presence of God, are you really going to be preoccupied with how you measure up to your friend?! The personal reward you receive in proportion to the good you do on earth should be encouragement to do more good. Be the best Catholic you can be on Earth, and entrust the rest to God’s mercy.

 

[Dlee]

I agree with all of the previous responses - we, with the understanding we now have, cannot imagine all that God has prepared for us. As a former Baptist, we never believed any of our charity or works would accompany us or earn anything for eternity. I do remember some vague reference that what we do now for Christ would add jewels to our crowns which we would cast at Christ’s feet.

 

[guanophore]

Many of my Evangelical friends believe that our heavenly reward will be a better eternal state of happiness, sort of a better eternal zip code than where others live forever.

They do this to separate our good works from being part of judgment.

 

[EvangelistVictor]

Just continue in the faith my brother till the end of your life and you are assured of eternal salvation.