Some of the thoughts in this series are taken from a series by Bruce Wilkinson, Leading a Company For Christ

Rewards In Heaven

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do nor destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6: 19-21

All of us one day will face the reality of dying and going to Heaven or Hell. In our world today, many will not believe in Hell and will base their thinking on the fact that every one has a chance to go to Heaven. Whether we do or not, they contend, is based on the good works we do while here on earth. Those who are true believers know that this is false theology. True believers know that it is Christ and His death on the cross for our sins that makes it possible for us to enter heaven. It is faith in Christ alone that brings us into heaven and not the works.

However, works do count. According to scripture, we are saved to do good works and we will be rewarded in Heaven based on the works we do while here on earth. But it is not just works, but works that have an eternal substance. All those who believe in Christ will get in, some by the skin of their teeth. Others, because of their good works here on earth, will receive greater rewards and position in Heaven.

Let's face it, we are here on earth but for a really drastically small amount of time. Those who are fortunate to live into their nineties may consider it a long life, but when compared to eternity, it is but a dot. 

Consider the following graph:

|--|-------------------------------------------------------------------Eternity   

The first two marks indicate our 60-90 years on earth. If we continued the line  on out forever, we would see clearly what a small amount it is on the total time of life.

Now consider this. Everything we do in that dot of 60-90 years will affect our whole eternity. In other words, we have 60-90 years to do what ever we can to build up treasures in Heaven.

Now let's consider another graph.

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Birth                                                                                    Death

This is our time here on earth - 60-90 years. Place two lines on this graph, one for the amount of time spent building earthly rewards, and another for the time spent building Heavenly rewards.

The absolute reality of knowing that all I accomplish, in whatever time God allows me here on earth, will affect all of my eternity should motivate me to be a "fool for Christ". I should be willing to postpone immediate gratification for something of greater value in the future. Scripture clearly teaches we are to work for rewards in heaven. Consider John 15: 16, and 1 Corinthians 5: 10, and Hebrews 11:6 as just a few examples of God rewarding us for the good deeds we do.  

As a priest, my mentality should be different. I have a different set of priorities, a different way of thinking and a different reason to do things. I am a priest first and then a business man. 

Questions For Thought

If I have such a good time celebrating a profitable business deal, why do I have so much difficulty about celebrating Christ ?

* Does our business wisdom come fro Fortune, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal or from  God's Word?

* What are things you could begin to do tomorrow to build treasures in heaven?