Can We Increase Our Reward in Heaven?
By Luis Solorzano
The Christian life is marked by a constant pursuit of holiness and union with God. A frequently asked question is: can we increase our reward in heaven, or is the heavenly prize fixed for each person? This article explores this reflection through the lens of Catholic doctrine, highlighting the importance of merit, divine grace, and good works.
The Doctrine of Merit in the Catholic Church
The concept of merit in Catholic teaching does not imply that a creature can demand something from God as a right. Merit is intrinsically linked to divine grace, which enables us to perform good actions. These actions, when done in a state of grace—free from mortal sin—are associated with a reward promised by God. Cardinal Henry Edward Manning explains that merit can be understood as the connection between actions performed in grace and the rewards sovereignly instituted by God. Thus, every good deed carried out with love and faith increases our capacity to receive rewards both in this life and in eternity.
The Importance of Being in a State of Grace
Being in a state of grace is essential for accumulating spiritual merits. Baptism marks the beginning of this journey, as it brings sanctifying grace to the soul. However, mortal sin destroys all previously acquired merits. This is why confession is so crucial: it restores divine grace and returns lost merits.
The Church teaches that without God’s grace, no action has eternal value. This explains the strict rules regarding the reception of sacraments like the Eucharist. Receiving communion while in a state of mortal sin constitutes sacrilege because it unites two incompatible states: enmity with God and His real presence.
A Reward Proportional to Love
Heavenly glory will be proportional to the degree of charity cultivated during earthly life. The Council of Florence affirms that the blessed will experience complete happiness in heaven, but at varying degrees depending on the intensity of love demonstrated through good works on earth.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux illustrates this idea with a simple metaphor: imagine two glasses, one small and one large, both filled to the brim. Although both are equally full, the larger glass holds more water because it has greater capacity. Similarly, our ability to receive eternal happiness depends on the love and dedication with which we live our earthly vocation.
The Role of Good Works and Love
Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort emphasises that the value of good works is directly related to the degree of love with which they are performed. For instance, a simple act done with profound love can glorify God more than grand deeds carried out without such intention.
Thus, increasing our reward in heaven does not depend solely on the quantity of good works but primarily on the love and selflessness with which they are done. Every act of charity or sacrifice performed in a state of grace contributes to our spiritual growth and leads to greater rewards in eternity.
Conclusion
Earthly life is short but has eternal consequences. Every choice we make here shapes our capacity to receive heavenly rewards. Remaining in a state of grace, performing good works with love, and avoiding mortal sin are essential pillars for increasing our eternal happiness.
May this period of Lent inspire us to reflect on the value of our actions and how we can better respond to divine grace in our daily lives. As taught by the Catholic Church, God provides us with all the tools necessary to achieve even greater glory in heaven—if only we seize this opportunity with faith and dedication.
