Several years ago, I had someone prophesy over me that I was going to be rich. They were surprised by this word, as they had never given a word like this before. I was surprised as well, as I don’t have that thirst to gain the things of this world. There is freedom when things don’t own you.
One day I was reading the Word and I came across a verse that described the true riches for which I desire. “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). I am convinced that by the standards of heaven we can all be rich, and that richness is Christ in you.
When we are impoverished in our spirit, we are ready to receive the riches of heaven. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
People imagine heavenly rewards using the standards of man, but it is God’s standards that prevail in heaven. It is when we operate from God’s standards that we will receive God’s rewards.
We can either store up treasures or squander treasures, depending upon how we live our life. We lay up treasures in heaven not by what we keep but what we do. Jesus taught, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth [things that rot or things that can be stolen] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19-20).
What treasure never rots and cannot be stolen? The fruit of the Spirit never rots and can never be stolen. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23)
What we do now will matter forever. Don’t squander a thousand years to gain a single day. What you do now determines what you will have forever.
Grace gets you into heaven but works determine your reward when you get there. “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27).
Stop seeking earthly rewards for heavenly work. Jesus taught, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).
In the world what you do publicly matters most, but with God what you do secretly matters most. “…your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6).
People like to think that God will reward everyone equally. But where would the justice be in that? Socialism is an idea of man that strips him of responsibility. God holds you accountable.
Your life on earth is your down payment on eternity. “…that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Everything you do can be for the Lord when you do it for Him and not for men. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
On earth the measure of wealth is what a man has. In heaven, the measure of wealth is what a man is.
It is not what you have but who you are. Heavenly rewards are the reflection of who you are. The Lord Jesus said, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God…” (Revelation 3:12).
The rewards in heaven are not things. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.” (Isaiah 55:2).
Heavenly rewards have more to do with motive than accomplishments.
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
All Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version. Please use the version you prefer to review the verses shown here. The best version is the one you read.