Rating: 
Summary: A Huge Paradigm shift
Review: I had no idea! That's what I felt after finishing this quick read. I found the theology very solid and eye-opening. (As a matter-of-fact, I've found that this message is nothing new. Spurgeon preached this, Calvin preached this, Wesley (really) preached this, St Augustine preached this, D.L. Moody preached this, Martin Luther preached this. Somehow it's just been lost under the dust of neglect). Wilkinson elegantly brings these ancient truths to light once again. And they are life-changing truths, if we just believe what Jesus said. That God wants to further pour his manifold blessings upon us at every opportunity is a further indication of the breadth of His grace. I guess some people assume Heaven will be kind of a communist state, the same for everyone, that it doesn't really matter what we do here. I understand now why that is so wrong. We have painted God, as we would like Him to be, rather than letting Him reveal His character to us. I also understand how tainted our western aspect of theology has become. This is a message that will especially ring true for all the believers around the world that are suffering, are being persecuted, and are in great distress. God will reward them greatly. Much more I fear than most of the milk-toast Christians who in their hearts really don't believe that what we do here on earth really matters. This book has not only encouraged me to work hard at the race of life, with the finish line always in sight, but to relish the day of that victory when all I have done will count for something, and I see Him face to face and in deep humility and awe find His Grace further lavished upon me for who I am and what I have accomplished with the time He has given me upon this Earth. Highly recommended!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Salvation by works of the law is failure to know God.
Review: I have noticed that these books all follow the same premise -'working for your salvation'. Yes the Bible does say "work out your salvation..." but 'work out' is different from 'work for'. One implies 'a process of learning' the other 'work hard or else you're going to be rejected'. What is it about Christians that they are not happy unless they are beating themselves up over some failure to please God? So they do 'more work' to try and be accepted all the while not realizing they are striving 'under works of the law' instead of 'resting in grace'.
Rating:
Summary: To the reviewer who wrote about focusing on the race...
Review: I have to agree with the reviewer who wrote about focusing entirely on the race. If I understand correctly what the person is trying to say, those of us who focus entirely on the race aren't even concerned with our heavenly rewards, much less our earthly rewards. So I don't know why people are so upset. What's the big issue? And besides, many of us who marvel at our earthly rewards wouldn't go and sell everything we had anyway, and vow to a life of poverty. I seriously doubt Bruce Wilkinson would follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa, clear his bank account, move to India or Asia (or even the inner city), and pour the rest of his life into ministering to the poor and afflicted. The difference between Mother Teresa and us is that she did a lot of "walking" for Christ, whereas we just do a lot of talking and look to an eternal reward. As someone with a child-like heart once told us in Bible class, "What difference does it make what you get in heaven?" The key to the answer is in your heart. That is, search your "true" heart and see what matters to you. Think about those words for a while. That is wisdom at its VERY best. I did.
Rating: 
Summary: A LIFE GOD REWARDS
Review: I just finished reading it last night and it gives me an new perspective of my after life. I knew I was assured heaven if I believed that Jesus was the Son and that He died for me, but I was unaware that there were rewards in heaven for what I am doing on earth right now. I know that God is gracious and merciful so I want to reflect that in my life as I go along. Now I see that these things will count for eternity. I no longer need to be concerned with recognition here. It is far better to be recognized by my heavenly Father. This book is so encouraging for now and future. I don't ever have to look back. A truly life-changing book! I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: I found this book very interesting
Review: I read it, shared it and think it makes good sense to approach every thought and action with pure and loving motives.
Rating:
Summary: rewarding read
Review: I remember when I first learned that good works would not get me into heaven -- that the only way to heaven was accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Immediately a question popped into my head. If accepting Jesus is the only way into heaven, and I have that taken care of, why not just coast for the rest of my life? After all, if good works won't get me into heaven, then how important could they really be? This book has the answer -- very!Backing everything up with scripture and quotes from the likes of Martin Luther, John Wesley, John Calvin, C.S. Lewis, Charles Swindoll, Charles Stanley and Billy Graham, Wilkinson explains that our behavior doesn't determine where we will spend eternity, but it definitely determines how we will spend eternity. He assembles a solid case to show that our eternal reward is determined by how well we manage our lives. Would you approach life differently if you knew that everything you did ultimately mattered? Would you live a richer life as a result? Would you be a blessing to more people? If you are looking to live a life worthy of reward, pick up this book and get excited about the possibilities. Life will take on a whole new meaning. Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory
Rating:
Summary: Great, better than Jabex or Vine.
Review: I was excited to get this book. If you are a Christian, just getting by ... read this book! It will challenge you, and make you re-think about your walk with Jesus. It is top notch, and lists many verses to study on the bible. Get it, read it, and get closer to Christ!
Rating:
Summary: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood...
Review: I was very disappointed in this book. It was given to me by a friend and I was excited to read it. However, once I read it, it was clear that the enemy was at work here. This book should serve as a reminder that the enemy can and will infiltrate if allowed. We serve God because we love Him. We follow Jesus because we love Him. If we continue to serve because we love, the rewards are incidental and will take care of themselves. This book encourages one to take their focus off of God and re-focus on themselves. THAT is not from God. This book creates doubt and confusion. THAT is not from God. It emulates the secular mindset of "it's all about me and what I can achieve". It touts a merit system in heaven. Scripture has been taken out of context and the subtle twists and turns are not hard to see once you look closely. We need to be ever vigilant of the tactics of the enemy. This is one.
Rating:
Summary: A much needed reminder that God rewards our deeds!
Review: I was very pleased to see Wilkinson address the topic of rewards from God. One of my Sunday School teachers asked me for a book on this very topic just before this book was published. At that time, I could find nothing on God's rewards for Christian service. Now, Wilkinson has given us his take on the topic. To be honest, I wasn't grabbed by this book in the opening pages like I had been with the previous two in this series. However, from about page 30 on I really wanted to keep going. The book is not, as some have suggested in other reviews, a claim that salvation is by works. Wilkinson makes very clear in this book that faith determines your eternal destination, works determines what you do once you get there. So many people think we'll just throw our crowns at Jesus' feet and then all be equal in heaven. Wilkinson shows this is not even close to what the Bible teaches. He deals well with the passages that speak of rewards in heaven for our works on earth. I had never heard anyone discuss the possibility of suffering loss in heaven based on one's works. He explains the idea well and defends it ably, though the reader is not told what suffering loss in heaven is like. The very best part of the book comes between pages 60-70. Every Christian should read those ten pages if they read nothing else this year. The whole point is that we are judged based on how we did compared to how we could have done. The section is excellent! While this little book does not cover everything I wish it covered (nor does it say everything I wish it said), I am very thankful that Wilkinson has brought this topic back to the forefront. I hope several more authors will follow his lead on expounding this topic for us. I encourage you to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: I really felt the idea in this book is misdirected.
Review: I would rather focus on the race than the "rewards". I would rather be the disciple that pours his heart towards Christ and His ministry than the Christian who is constantly thinking about his/her eternal gain. The Bible mentions MANY times about our "rewards". But as Christian, we need to look beyond that, as God intends for all of us to set our spirit on the race. My love and joy will be in His presence, not His "presents". When I come home for Christmas, I come home to share my love and be in the presence of my father and mother, not to pick up my "Christmas presents." If there is anyone among you who can stand before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all of the Heavenly Hosts and "proudly" state, "Give me my inheritance", then let them claim their rewards.
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