Heaven Series #16
“Treasures in Heaven”
My grandfather used to sing an old hymn that went like this:
On the other side, treasures there have I.
Treasures that this world and all its wealth could never buy.
And when I reach that City and the gates swing open wide.
I’ll find my treasures waiting on the other side.
Jesus taught us clearly not to store up our treasures here on earth, but to store our treasures in heaven.
It must be a part of our fallen nature that causes us to cling so dearly to what we can see and feel here in this life… yet God calls us to look beyond with the eyes of faith… and invest in that which He has promised us in the future.
The scriptures couldn’t be clearer that what we do here on earth, in this life, has everything to do with the blessings we will receive in heaven. Salvation and eternal life are free gifts of God to those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior… However from there, the scriptures go on to tell us that there are specific rewards and crowns for those who are qualified to receive them. There are at least five distinct crowns mentioned (i.e. The crown of life; The incorruptible crown; The crown of righteousness; The crown of glory; The crown of rejoicing)
Here are just a few passages that reveal God’s heart on this:
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Rev. 22:12
“The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.” 1 Cor. 3:8
“God will reward each of us for what we have done.“ Rom. 2:6
In Mark 9:41, Jesus showed us that literally every good thing we do in this life COUNTS when He said “Anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name, just because you belong to Me, will surely be rewarded.”
Think about it… If God is going to give a reward for just a drink of water, then clearly He is recording everything we do… even the smallest of things… and we will be rewarded for each of them. (Of course, the motives of our hearts have everything to do with the quality of our actions.) As my wife once said to me. “Let’s live for heaven!”
Blessings, Mike
Would you like the assurance of eternal life for yourself?
Watch this compelling 6 minute video.