All This Stuff
Treasures in Heaven
If you are a believer of the Lord, Jesus Christ, then the question arises, "Have I put much in heaven?" Think about it.. Below are two analogies made for the same purpose. Feel free to read both if you'd like.
Matthew 6:19-21
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NKJV
Video Game (Analogy 1)
Let's say that you have a video game. In this video game you have points you can earn by finding coins or whatever the objective of the game may be. But the point is, you can spend these points to buy or upgrade things that will help you throughout the game. The game is divided into, let's say, forty levels. Every level, regardless of your performance, you are rewarded 100 points for completing the previous level. On the first level you are given a free 100 points. You have the option to spend 100 points on a power up that will give you a shield that makes you immune to three enemy hits; this shield does not carry over to the next level. You also have the option to spend 100 points on a permanent item that will give you an extra 10 points per level. Now, seeing as this is only the first level and the first level is usually easiest, which upgrade would you buy?
Money Inheritance (Analogy 2)
Let's say that you inherited a million dollars. After taxes and paying off an incredible amount of debt, you are left with around $700,000. For the sake of this example, you are also a huge car enthusiast. Also, for the sake of this example, you are living in an apartment. You now have the option to either buy that overpriced $600,000 car that will no doubt devalue over time, or to buy that house that you never thought you'd have money to buy. Now, stepping out of the example, you are now no car enthusiast (Perhaps you are a car enthusiast outside of this example, but, for the sake of following this example, now you are no car enthusiast and have no temptation in choosing that overpriced car!). Which option would you logically choose?
The point I tried to make with both analogies is that it makes little to no sense to invest in the moment over the long haul. Now, in life, this is more so true. Except the "moment" is now the blink of an eye, and the "long haul" is now eternity. Imagine again, if you will, that you are a little kid in an arcade. There are a bunch of games to play, but not all of the games give away tickets. But unless you play those games that reward you with tickets, there is no hope for you to take home prizes later. But remember that we're talking about heavenly rewards. What is to come is sure to be better than stuffed animals and slinkys.
James 4:14
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. NKJV
But there's a little catch. Don't worry it's not huge..
Matthew 6:1-4
1 "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. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. NKJV
Sounds easy enough right? Just don't go advertising what you've done to be admired by other people and you get to keep your reward! So, if that so and so who gave $500 million to this or that had his or her charitable deed publicized purposefully to be admired by people, they have already received their reward! But wait! It gets better!
Sounds easy enough right? Just don't go advertising what you've done to be admired by other people and you get to keep your reward! So, if that so and so who gave $500 million to this or that had his or her charitable deed publicized purposefully to be admired by people, they have already received their reward! But wait! It gets better!
Mark 12:41-44
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” NKJV
So, in similar fashion, it doesn't matter if you don't have $500 million to give. The Lord knows all things and will reward you according to your own sacrifice. So perhaps give up that fast food restaurant that you eat at every day every now and then, or give up on that lottery thing that you will probably never win anyway. And set aside that money that you save for your eternal investment. Isn't God nice? He gives you stuff, and all you have to do is give it back for even more.
So, in similar fashion, it doesn't matter if you don't have $500 million to give. The Lord knows all things and will reward you according to your own sacrifice. So perhaps give up that fast food restaurant that you eat at every day every now and then, or give up on that lottery thing that you will probably never win anyway. And set aside that money that you save for your eternal investment. Isn't God nice? He gives you stuff, and all you have to do is give it back for even more.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that the Lord only rewards you for financial sacrifices!
For example, the Lord will reward people that pray. The catch here is similar to the one before. If someone prays to be esteemed by men, they have no reward.
Matthew 6:5-6
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. NKJV
Perhaps you would like to pay a visit to the prayer page?
The Voice of the Martyrs..
If you're looking for a place to start I suggest you go to http://www.persecution.com/, The Voice of the Martyrs website. The Voice of the Martyrs offers Christians many ways to get involved and add onto their eternal portfolio. You can help support the Lord's persecuted troops across the globe with your prayers or materials.
Mark 9:41
For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. NKJV
Just a cup guys.. Of course, you can always give more.
Just a word of advice..
I just want to give you an opinion, and I think I speak on common sense's behalf. If you're planning on, let's say for example, sponsoring a child in Africa, look for a good Christian organization. Why should you sponsor a child through a secular group when you can also sponsor a child through a Christian organization? Think about it. You can feed mouths and save souls at the same time.
