1 Peter 1:4

As the Israelites anticipated their inheritance, the Promised Land, so Christians should anticipate ours, the other side of the grave. However ours is not subject to destruction from any source, defilement from without, or decay from within. Peter played with words when he described three characteristics of our inheritance. Each Greek word begins with the same letter and ends with the same syllable: imperisable (aphtharton), undefiled (amianton), and unfading (amaranton). No one can ravage or pollute our inheritance, and it will not wear out or waste away. What is it exactly? Our inheritance is Jesus Christ Himself and the blessings that He has promised us (cf. 1 John 3:2; Colossians 3:4; Ephesians 1:14; Romans 8:11; Romans 8:18-23). All Christians will not obtain the same amount of inheritance (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12; Matthew 25:14-30; et al.), but every Christian will obtain much inheritance. Heaven will be the portion of all, but rewards will vary (1 Corinthians 3:14-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 John 1:8).

The idea of serving Jesus Christ faithfully to receive a reward is distasteful to some Christians because such service may flow from selfish motives. However selfishness is not the only possible motive. For example, two students could study hard to finish seminary with good records. One might do so to obtain a diploma with a "highest honor" stamp so he could hang it on his wall for all to see and admire. The other might do so to prepare to serve his Savior most effectively after graduation with no thought of broadcasting his honor. The Christian who serves Jesus Christ faithfully now so the Lord may entrust him with significant service opportunities in His coming kingdom may not be trying to earn rewards for his own glory. He may serve now so he can better glorify his Lord in the future. The present life is a training period designed to ready us for future service in our Lord’s earthly millennial and heavenly eternal kingdoms (cf. Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1-13; Luke 19:11-27; Romans 8:16-18).