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The Prodigal Son teaches that one can be selfish, wasteful and irresponsible, then come back say "I am sorry" and be rewarded.

Kosta has gotten this right and AG has in part as well. The Prodigal is welcomed back. He is not permanently shunned. He is a member of the household, but not a full heir like his brother. This parable carries a bigger message, no?

Might there not be degrees of rewards on God's part? Are some more valiant and committed than others?

Might there not be degrees of rewards on God's part? Are some more valiant and committed than others?

Not a lot is written about the new heaven and new earth, the "Final Cause." But we know this much:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. - Revelation 21:1-8

And we know there will be nations outside the new Jerusalem:

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. - Revelation 21:22-27

Personally, I believe there will be those who have amassed many treasures in heaven and there will also be heavenly paupers.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. - Matthew 6:19-21

But I doubt either will be resentful.

God's Name is I AM.

Think of how the other son felt. He did everything right, yet the little playboy gets the fatted cow and is treated like gold.

What about the parable of the workers who were told they would get paid a certain amount for working a day in the field. Then, close to the end of the workday, another one shows up and he gets paid the same amount as others who worked there the entire day!

And what about king Solomon? Or his father David? Or the man who out of gratitude of God offers God the first thing he sees when he gets home and it turns out to be his beloved daughter. And God kills this man's daughter! Or Job? Job's reward is a new family and new cattle, like you can replace your loved ones...But he had mercy on Abraham for his faith...give me a break. It makes my skin itch.

Might there not be degrees of rewards on God's part?

Where? On earth or in the "afterlife?" Well, for sure it's not here on earth, for god rewards the righteous and the unrighteous, an his sun shines on both. But the Bible tells you not to worry if you get the shaft in this life, you will be like that beggar Lazarus, in "Abraham's bosom," while all the fat cats who did you wrong will be burning...unless they repent, of course at the last moment. Then it's just tough luck for you.