Matthew 6:19-21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
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There is an old legend about three men who were crossing a desert on horseback during the night. As they approached a dried-up creek bed, they heard a voice commanding them to stop and dismount, pick up some pebbles, put them in their pockets, and not look at them until the next morning. The men were also promised that if they obeyed they would be both glad and sad. After they did as they were told, the three mounted their horses and went on their way. As the first gray streaks of dawn began to spread across the eastern sky, the men reached into their pockets to pull out the pebbles. To their great amazement, they had been transformed into diamonds, rubies, and other precious gems. It was then that they realized the significance of the promise that they would be both glad and sad. You see they were very happy that they had picked up as many pebbles as they did, but oh so sorry they had not collected more. We who know Christ as Savior will no doubt feel something like that when we get to heaven. We will be happy for the treasure we laid up in heaven while on earth and joyful for the rewards Christ will give us. However, we will also experience regret for not having done more here on earth in our service to Him. So, let’s make the most of our opportunities now so that we’ll be more glad than sad when we reach our final destination.
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Closing thoughts:
When you‘re 12 years old, you didn’t want to think a lot about the future. That’s why it sometimes doesn’t do any good to explain to your children the long-term advantages of struggling through long division and practicing the piano. While you’re trying to convince them that they need to be preparing for their future, their mind is set on enjoying the present. If you think about it, all of us have that worry in our lives. Like children basking in the freedom of a summer day, we would prefer to spend our time enjoying life; that is playing, engaging in recreation, even savoring the joys of working at a job we love, instead of doing the hard work of preparing for our future. If you have put your wholehearted faith in Jesus Christ to save you, you have the assurance of a future with Him in heaven. That might cause you to sit back and relax, thinking that the rest of life is just a vacation. Yet, that’s not what the Bible teaches. In Philippians 2:12, the apostle Paul said to “work out” our salvation; and, in 2 Peter 1:8, the call is to add godly character qualities to our lives. My brethren, as we do these things, we are preparing for the time when we will be with our Lord. Coasting is not an option. No matter what your degree of knowledge and opportunity, you can thank God for His goodness, mercy and grace. Then you must use what He has given you in faithful service to Him. Remember that the crowns we wear in heaven must be won on earth, and now is the time to invest in eternity.
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Someone put it this way, “All things of earth are but a mist that soon will fade away. What lasts throughout eternity is what we do for Jesus Christ here on earth.
His Eternal Word 