Ideal choices

The Bible warns of judgment, from Psalm 62 through Revelation: reward each man according to his work. Jesus clarified a bit with the parable of the talents--the servant that was punished was the one that didn't even try. He didn't do outright evil, but he didn't even try to do good.

So, what happens if we, trying to do good, make the wrong choices? Not evil, not lazy, but not ideal?

The parables suggest that part of the rewards differ but the praise (also a reward) is the same.

I'm not sure there's a need for a detailed direction (Move to Cincinnati, rent the apartment on Jericho Lane, take the job with Campbells, and put your chips on Betty instead of Veronica). I should do the best I can with the information I have. Maybe I get special guidance--usually not. If God blesses the results of my choice, could any different choice of mine have done better than God?

Of course God's blessings aren't always immediately recognized as such: "You're doing well, so I'm going to give you some assignments that other people would not be able to handle." You understand the blessing part later.