Earn – a reward? (5)
I believe the answer is:
merit
I believe this is a double definition.
'earn' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a reward?' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for merit that I've seen before include "Excellence that deserves to be honoured" , "credit" , "Worth; deserve" , "Good point or quality" , "Have a right" .)