Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:19)
Did you catch that there are levels of rewards in Heaven? Jesus made it clear here that some people will be considered the ‘least’ in Heaven and some the ‘greatest.’ He also mentioned something similar when describing John the Baptist to people:
“I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Mt 11:11)
I don’t think it’s a surprise to you that there are levels of rewards and ‘greatness’ in Heaven, but it is worth talking about so that you can think about it and what it means to store up your treasures in Heaven. If you are like me, you probably don’t think as much as you should about storing up your treasures and rewards in Heaven. Let’s face it, it is evidenced by the way we live isn’t it? Look at this in Hebrews:
Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection … (Heb 11:35)
These people were so focused on Heaven and gaining a better resurrection/reward that they willingly accepted torture for Christ. You and I need to start thinking about our resurrection and rewards more than living a comfortable life or just trying to get through it.
So, how do you store up rewards in Heaven? Well, in the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord mentioned rewards by doing good for people (Mt 6:1-4), praying (Mt 6:6), and fasting (Mt 6:17-18). Those are just a few examples, but I suppose the easiest way to know whether what you are doing is storing up rewards is by looking at Jesus’ statement a little farther down in the Sermon:
“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt 6:19-21)
The best way to store up treasures in Heaven is to seek God’s Kingdom first, and live with an eternal focus.
So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth” (Col 3:1-2).
Focusing on Jesus and eternity should help you to make serving God and others a higher priority in your life. The result will be greater rewards in eternity. A life of selfish living doesn’t result in much rewards later.
Start thinking about this seriously. Someday you will stand before Christ and be rewarded, or not, for what you did here.
For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done. (Mt 16:27)
For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless. (2 Cor 5:10)
Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. (Rev 22:12)
Focus on the spiritual. Do spiritually good things. Make a difference in people’s lives for Christ…not to make yourself feel good…but for Jesus. Store up spiritual treasures in Heaven:
For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. (1 Cor 3:11-15)
You won’t regret storing your treasures in Heaven!!!
Think about it
In what ways can people today give up comfort like the people in Hebrews 11 for the sake of Christ and a better resurrection? What is one comfort you are holding onto that might be getting in the way of eternal treasures?
What does your calendar, bank statements, and daily habits show where you are storing up treasures—earth or heaven?
Why do you think God places such a high premium on teaching others to follow Him (Mt 5:19), rather than just keeping our faith private?
How does the reality of “levels of rewards” or being called “least” vs. “greatest” change your perspective on how this life ties to your life in Heaven? Does it motivate you to live differently now? How?
When you picture “treasures in heaven,” what comes to mind?
Why is it so hard to focus on the reality of your future resurrection when dealing with the immediate noise of everyday life? How can you change that?
