Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Randy Alcorn
Treasures
You cannot take your earthly treasures with you, but you can forward them ahead to the kingdom, and they’ll be there waiting for you someday. Jesus commanded us, not suggested for us, to “not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19). Solomon knew that you should “not wear yourself out to get rich” (Prov. 23:4) because you can’t take it with you, which is why Jesus said, “… lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20). There is no “breaking and entering” in heaven. Your treasures are safe there; not so much here.
Positions
Did you know that some of us will be given positions of authority in the kingdom, depending on what we do here on earth for Christ? The Book of Revelation clearly says that “you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10) and that “… The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6). Someday, perhaps soon, the Master will tell some of us, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities” (Luke 19:17). Since priests and kings are rulers given their authority by Christ, some will “be over five cities” (Luke 19:19), some ten, and probably some more and some less. The point is, the children of God will reign with Christ (Rev. 20:6) but, of course, under His supreme rule.
Worship
The day that we see Jesus face to face will be unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in this life. It will be such an awesome day, and we’ll see “the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created’” (Rev. 4:10-11). We’ll be joining them in this worship of the Great Lamb of God, Who died for us, as we’ll sing “a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). For me, that day can’t come soon enough!
Conclusion
In this life today, we should keep in mind that whoever lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity, and that eternity with Christ will be amazingly joyful, as we’ll receive our rewards, we’ll be given positions of authority in the kingdom, and we’ll forever be worshiping Christ, Who is worthy of such worship. Yes, we’ll have work to do in the kingdom, but we’ll forever be praising our awesome God and our King of kings and Lord of lords, forever and ever. Amen!
