Will we all receive the same blessings in heaven? Norm Geisler, in his systematic theology makes an interesting distinction between being “fully blessed” and being “equally blessed.” He explains, “Every believer’s cup will be
full and running over, but not everyone’s cup will be the same size. We determine in time what our capacity for appreciating God will be in eternity. Different persons can listen to the same musical performance and have varying degrees of appreciation because they have developed different capacities for enjoying it; similarly, different people can be in the same heaven and yet have different degrees of enjoyment due to developing different abilities for enjoying God here on earth.”
Although we are saved by grace through faith alone, our rewards in heaven will be determined by our works on earth. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians, chapter 3. The foundation of our salvation is Christ Jesus and his work alone, but our obedience in this life results in the nature of our rewards in the next life. He says in verses 11-15, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 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. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” For other verses that seem to teach on the various degrees of rewards in heaven see the following verses: Luke 19:17–19; John 14:2; 1 Cor. 15:41; Rev. 22:12.
Some investments bring greater returns than others. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (See Matthew 6:19-20). This point is, a man who has a layover at an airport does not go into the bathroom, frown at its decor, and start redecorating! Why? Because he doesn’t live there. He has a home in another place. While he is away he will get by with only what he absolutely needs, to have more money with which to furnish his permanent home. Why do we Christians work hard at trying to make our life in this world more comfortable? This is just the airport and we are in transit. We should spend our energy on enhancing our eternal reward, and not worry so much about the bare walls in the airport restrooms.