Casting Down Their Golden Crowns

So I've wondered about this question for a while, is being motivated by being rewarded in Heaven, an ok motivation for doing...anything?

Here are a few verses and quotes I have come across to make me wonder...

Randy Alcorn tweeted:

If we delight in God, that will transform the desires of our hearts. Our desire will be to hear Him say to us, “Well done.” Mt 25:21,23 (7:14 PM Jan 22nd) 

 

The verses he quotes are from the parable of the talents: (both verses say the same thing)

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 

Colossians 3:23-24 says:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 

And if you type in "crown" on Biblegateway keyword search, here is what you will find among others:

• "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
• "Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" (Philippians 4:1)
• "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
• "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)
• "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
• "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4)
• "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

I know that some of these verses are just using 'crown' as imagery, but others seem to be more literal, in terms of a reward of some sort. Even if not actually a crown, if you understand what I mean?


To see these 'crowns' in the context of what we will think of them THEN though:

"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.""
(Revelation 4:9-11)

I like the ESV translation better: "they cast their crowns before the throne"

They will be nothing in comparison to Jesus when we get there, but do you think it's ok to be motivated by it now? It seems like it was at least part of Paul's motivation in his work. But it seems selfish and self-glorifying in a way, doesn't it? How can you be seeking to make Jesus look great, when you're really motivated by gaining rewards for yourself in Heaven?

Basically, in thinking 'I want Jesus to say "well done good and faithful servant" when I get to Heaven' is that more motivated by seeking our own glory, or seeking His glory? It makes my head spin, what do you think please?  

"Holy, Holy, Holy, All the Saints adore thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be."