What does the Bible say about rewards and blessings?

The Bible provides a nuanced understanding of rewards and blessings, distinguishing them as opposites in many respects. Rewards, as defined biblically, often reference what is earned or merited through one's actions, while blessings are seen as gifts of divine favor. Key passages emphasize that God is the ultimate source of rewards, as seen in I Corinthians 3:6-8, which states that while one plants and another waters, it is God who gives the increase. In contrast, blessings are presented in Ephesians 1:3-5 as gifts tied to God's sovereign choice, bestowed to believers without conditions based on their actions. Thus, rewards reflect an earned aspect of faithfulness, while blessings signify unmerited grace.