How safe are your valuables? Thieves can break into bank vaults and safe deposit boxes. However, Jesus made a promise that He could make a 100% guarantee that they are safe with Him. “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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)
Paul relied on Jesus, saying, “I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) What had Paul entrusted to Jesus? Everything. His physical well-being, his comfort, his future, his evangelism, his possessions, and his reputation among his fellow Jews.
Jesus said, “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38–39) Paul was losing his life for Christ and, in the process, the apostle was finding the joyful purpose of living for Jesus. Paul didn’t have many treasures on earth, but they piled up in Heaven.
What about you and me? It’s hard to lose our lives for Jesus in such an affluent land. I’m not suggesting that the really spiritual people of faith should live in squalor. The Lord has showered this country with blessings, but as Christ-followers, we are not to waste our lives accumulating stuff here on earth. We are called to live for Christ. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
God is aware of everything you’ve done for Him. Every prayer, act of generosity, sacrifice, and word of evangelism has been recorded and put in safekeeping until you see Him face-to-face. Whether you have left your family and traveled to another land, or given of your time to serve here in the States, God is well aware of your service for Him. Though salvation is a gift, all Christ-followers must appear before God, not to determine salvation, but whether we get rewards.
God, alone, is able to evaluate our works. “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. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:12–15)
As others have pointed out, you can’t take possessions with you, but you can send them on ahead. I want to encourage you to use your time, talents, and treasures to serve Christ. We are here for a short time to build His kingdom, not our own.
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