I once overheard a man say, “He who thinks much about eternity and Heaven is the person who does the most for God’s kingdom while on Earth.” The more I reflect on that and apply it, the more real that statement becomes to me.
God is all about thinking long-term. He made it clear in His Word. Let’s take a look at some of those verses.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us this insight:
"'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 6:19-21
This passage basically boils down to this: Your treasures need to be valued based upon the length of time you will enjoy them.
It is ridiculous when your focus is to get it all down here on Earth and use everything—your time, treasure, talents, and abilities—for a life that lasts about 80 years.
Yes, you may have fun and enjoy life here on Earth. I believe Jesus wants that. But I also see what Jesus said and it’s that you have to have a focus beyond Earth and into eternity.
The apostle Paul addresses this same topic:
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." –2 Corinthians 4:17-18
When you focus on eternity, you’ll find that your priorities will become pursuing God’s glory and purposes and bring even deeper enjoyment and abundance into your life. That abundant life will give you crazy happiness on Earth and eternal joy in Heaven.
From God’s perspective, people are all that will last. Our Savior wants us to do everything we can with our lives to tell others about Christ’s redeeming love because that will last forever.
When Jesus asks us to lay up treasures in Heaven, it’s not to make our lives hard or difficult. It’s to release us to experience life as followers of Jesus on Earth and into Heaven.
We have all seen people that build their lives around themselves, and some of them even receive all sorts of awards. But at the end of their lives, they were a tragic mess.
Only Jesus can give us all that we long for—both in this life and the life to come.
Do not get caught up in compromising what you desire most for what you want now. Go for the eternal treasure.
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