Q3. Rewards in Heaven

[Karen11]

On 12/19/2007 at 10:43 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q3. (Matthew 6:19-21) According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven"? What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven?

The things we do for those in need, the things we do for God.

Things we get on earth will fade away like dust but the things in heaven are forever.

Most do not want to talk about heaven, they have so much wealth here that the thought of letting go saddens them.

[Irmela]

3.1According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven?"

Giving alms to the needy, praying in private and fasting. Good works with a pure heart for God alone. These are actually acts of love toward God.  

1Corinthians 3:8-15 summed up says ..... We are workers with and for God and it does not matter which part of the work we do - planting or watering - it all needs to be done. Ultimately in the end, what "stands" will be rewarded, i.e. what was done for Christ.

3.2 What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions?

Earthly possessions are left behind when we walk over into eternity. We cannot take them with us. Whereas what we do for Christ gets 'sent on before' .... that is the treasure stored up in heaven.

3.3Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven?

In Eph 2:8 we read "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."  Thus we know it is grace alone and nothing that we do, which will get us saved. 

Yet, here we learn of being rewarded for what we do.  The difference is, we do not earn our way into heaven but God graciously bestows blessings/rewards onto us, for that which we do for Him.  He ows no man anything ..... it is because of grace alone.

[Lisa Wolf]

Q3. (Matthew 6:19-21) According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven"? What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven?   

Prior to the verses on storing up treasures in heaven in Matthew 6, Jesus taught His disciples about giving, prayer, and fasting.  He described the TRUTH on these topics, contrasting it with the cultural acceptable practice of the day.  In Hosea 6:6, God clearly states, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," and Psalm 23:3-4 states, "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god." Storing up treasures in heaven means spending time with our Heavenly Father, so that we know Him better and more deeply.  Spending time in the Word of God that the Scripture may seep into our character, so we look more like Jesus.  Once we know the Word more deeply and God more personally, obedience flows from us more easily and repulsion of evil becomes more automatic.  Everything we have here will not be going with us when we die.  Storing up treasure here is foolish. But working for rewards is what makes the rewards in heaven uncomfortable.  God is the center of our life.  Knowing Him and worshipping Him only is our goal, not worshipping potential rewards.  However, we know that as we walk through daily life, we need to keep our eyes on the prize who is Jesus.