September 1
Rewards in Heaven
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ––Matthew 5:12
No one earns their way to heaven. In fact, if you study the “Big 5” religions— Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism—you will see that Christianity is the only one in which you can’t work your way to heaven. Salvation is a gift, won on the cross, and given freely to those who accept Him as Lord and Savior.
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s a topic you won’t hear preached from many pulpits: God gives rewards to those saved by grace, which we store up for ourselves in heaven, while here on planet Earth. Wild, right? Again, hear me brother: I am NOT saying we earn our way to heaven. I’m simply telling you what the Word tells us: We will be rewarded in heaven for the life we live—good or bad—here on Earth. Let’s look at what Jesus has to say on the subject of rewards:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ––Matthew 6:19-20
Treasures in heaven. Wow.
If we all just received the same reward in heaven—that is, eternal life—why does Jesus mention a reward and treasures to those whom He knows already have eternal life? As well, over and over in the parables Jesus teaches about rewards for those who do the Father’s will.
So here’s the thing: How now shall you live in light of the fact that rewards await you in heaven? The answer: Live each day as if it were your last and with heaven in mind. Live each hour entrenched in a dogged Holy Spirit mindset of Kingdom perspective. God’s men look at the present—at reality—and live in it. We meet the needs of the poor, the less fortunate, and the lost. We give them material food and shelter so they might see Christ through us and receive the spiritual food of salvation.
We live by grace; we don’t do good deeds to earn our place in heaven’s queue. However, we can get excited about the reality that once there, treasures await.
Father, help me live today as if it were my last, and fully for You.