Treasures in Heaven

(2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 


(Romans 14:10, 12) For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat… So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.



(Matthew 16:27) For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 


(Revelation 22:12) And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 



THE REWARD TESTS 


(1 Corinthians 3:12-15) If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. 


It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 




The Test of Relationship.


(Revelation 2:2-4) I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance… Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 



The Test of Motive. 


(Matthew 6:1-4) Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 


So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. 


I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 


But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 



The Test of Love. 


(1 Corinthians 13:3) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 



The Test of Eternity. 


(Luke 16:9-10) I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 


Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 


So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?



TREASURES IN HEAVEN 


(Matthew 6:19-20) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.


But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.



 1. Realize that God owns everything. 



(1 Chronicles 29:10-11) Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 


Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. 


Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 



2. Manage everything you have on His behalf. 



(Matthew 10:42) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. 



3. Focus your whole life towards the eternal. 



(Philippians 3:18-20) Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.


Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.



Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/treasures-in-heaven1

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/11-04-12.pdf