There are two words for "crown" in the New Testament: diadema, which means "a royal crown" and gives us the English word diadem; and stephanos, "victor's crown," which gives us the popular name Stephen. You can inherit a diadema, but the only way to get a stephanos is to earn it.

Acts 6-7 center on the ministry and martyrdom of Stephen, a Spirit filled believer who was crowned by the Lord. He was faithful both in life and in death and therefore is a good example for us to follow.

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown, Revelation 2:10b