What Can You Take to Heaven?
In our daily meditations over the last few days, we have been reflecting on the rewards a believer in Christ will receive when Jesus returns and this evil age ends. Jesus taught that we should not store up treasures on earth but rather store them in heaven (Matthew 6:19). What do you believe you can take with you to heaven? While this may not be an exhaustive list, three thoughts come to mind.
1) We can take other people whom we have helped find eternal life.
2) We can bring the things we have learned, e.g., the Word of God, imprinted on our hearts.
3) We also bring the character of Christ, whom the Holy Spirit has transformed us into.
The Parable of the Minas: Investing for Eternity
Thinking about storing up treasure in heaven urges us to reflect on how we use our time, energy, talents, and money. Jesus, aware that His Second Coming would be delayed, told a parable about a nobleman going on a long journey to gain a kingdom (Luke 19:11-27). In this story, the nobleman gave each of his ten servants a mina, worth about three months' wages for a worker. He told them to do business with the money until he returned.
Being "Pragmatic" for the Kingdom
The Greek word translated as "put this money to work" (NIV) or "occupy" (KJV) is pragmateuomai, meaning to conduct business, invest, or trade with the goal of gaining a return. The word "pragmatic" comes from this Greek term. Being pragmatic involves approaching situations sensibly and realistically. We should thoughtfully consider how to invest our resources to maximize the return for God's Kingdom. Understanding the character of our Nobleman, King Jesus, we should strive to invest in what He cares about. He values people above all—thus, we must cultivate a heart of compassion for those around us if we are to build with gold, silver, or precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12). In the parable, the first servant invested the master's money, yielding a return of ten minas from the initial one mina. The nobleman responded by saying the steward would not only keep the ten minas but also be rewarded with ten cities. This passage highlights a significant difference between the initial investment and the reward for faithful labor.
The Difference Between Investment and Reward
I believe cities serve as a metaphorical language to help us grasp that our efforts for Christ in this sinful world—particularly how we care for others—will result in a significant difference between what we invest and the reward we will receive on that Day. While I don't know what the prize will be, I am eager to find out. Our duty and privilege are to dedicate ourselves to the work of our Noble Master, using our time, energy, and resources to expand His Kingdom. As Christians, we are just travelers and aliens in this world and should eagerly anticipate Christ's coming Kingdom.
If you believe in and trust Christ, you will enter the eternal Kingdom. Your entrance into the Kingdom of God does not depend on your works but on receiving the gift of God—salvation in Christ. With eternity in view, we should invest our resources in people.
A Prayer for Eternal Perspective: Father, help us to realize that each day is preparation for eternity. Make us receptive to what You want to teach us and get us ready for that day. Thank You for watching over us until that day comes. Amen. Keith Thomas
Taken from the series Insights into Eternity. Click on the study Are You READY for Eternity?
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