A direct message sent to my Twitter account asked me about Eternal Rewards. I summed up saying they’re the wages God pays us for our discipleship. Are you an earner?

Below is the transcript of my reply to the questions asked regarding “Storing Up Treasures In Heaven” aka Eternal Rewards.

Q: “Why WOULD we want to store treasures in heaven?

A: The simple answer is: Because Jesus commanded us too in Matthew 6:19 (stop and let that sink in). He goes on to tell us why. I see it as the heavenly 401k program for eternal retirement. He want’s us putting in as much as we can and He’s going to match the funds abundantly more. Why? For one, it makes us concentrate on the work we’re called to do. It makes that work our passion, it makes us put Him first, it makes us value our faith. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Q: “What other treasures could we possibly want besides being in His presence?”

A: ALL of them! God designed the plan and the treasures because it pleases Him to reward us. Are you a father? If so, you understand this. (Note: Turns out the person was fatherless from birth.)

Q: “And doesn’t the Bible preach that we’ll all be equals in heaven?”

A: No, it describes just the opposite. Ranging from those who barely make it in with that being their only reward (which of course is wonderful), to those who will have earned a seat at the head table at the Wedding Feast. Some will be commanding angels. Remember, Adam and Eve were created for a purpose THAT STILL EXISTS. They failed, and fell, causing a halt on Plan A and triggering the fail-safe plan (Jesus having to come as the 2nd Adam and die in our place to eradicate the wages of sin. Eternal death), to eventually bring creation back around, and able to continue Plan A. Heaven ain’t going to be sitting on clouds playing harps, there’s a purpose we’re meant to participate in.

Just for fun I googled “And doesn’t the Bible preach that we’ll all be equals in heaven?” Nada. Not even an op-ed on the subject. It surprised me not to find someone insisting on equality in heaven. Because, certainly God is a socialist right? Ha!

Q: “And what kind of treasures are we even talking about?”

A: I don’t know the extent of them, but we’re told about some of them. The “Five Crowns” for example. The Crown of Life; the Incorruptible Crown; the Crown of Righteousness; the Crown of Glory; and the Crown of Exultation.

Closing comment: “btw. It’s one of the Bible subjects that still don’t make a lot of sense to me (storing up eternal treasures).”

A: I suggest you bone up on the subject because it’s a limited time offer. All indications are, these treasures can only be laid up during your life on this side of eternity. The more important question is “By what means am I able to store up these treasures?” I can tell you the answer is specific to one thing. Your employment of the Great Commission. Take notice of that phrase “Your employment of the Great Commission” Jesus gave us a JOB to do. What do you get when you’re employed to do a job? WAGES! Would you work for anyone or any company if they didn’t pay you? Salvation and your entrance to heaven are free. Not a damn thing you can do to earn them. BUT, discipleship is work, and eternal rewards are its wages.

I leave you with a link to my Eternal Rewards playlist on YouTube featuring the teaching of Pastor Joseph Cortes of “Faith Cometh By Hearing” ministries found at TeachingFaith.com. Better answers to your questions are there.

-BigAddison

Here’s the first video on the playlist:
“We Are Being Recorded”