If salvation is a free gift, why are there rewards in heaven?

Chuck Smith kept the two apart: "God doesn't reward me with eternal life; that is a gift of God," while the believer will still "be rewarded according to my faithfulness." Life is "the gift of God" (Romans 6:23); reward is for work that abides (1 Corinthians 3:14). Read Chuck on Matthew 6:1 in the reader. Chuck Smith commentary used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-13.