Jesus: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matt. 6:19-21)
I believe in heaven.
Because of that belief, I spend a good amount of time with my head in the clouds.
Because of that belief, I have the hope that NOW is not ALL.
Because of that belief, I have the hope that I will someday be reunited with people I love and miss.
I believe in heaven.
I was brought up to believe that my ranking in heaven depended on my behavior on earth.
If I work REAL hard and avoid all the wrong stuff and do all the right stuff, then someday in heaven, I will get a lot of shiny bling.
I can earn awards, authority and accolades.
I was taught this and I have taught others this.
Sometimes, we treat heaven like a big awards assembly or an employee recognition program.
We get the credit, the crown, the BIG, BIG house.
After all, we worked hard, we deserve it, right?
This where heaven gets ugly.
One of the results of that thinking is that charity becomes more competition than concern.
“I do more than you, so I get a bigger mansion.”
“I want more jewels on my crown.”
I really don’t know if that thinking reflects the heart of heaven.
I was pondering this and I got Spirit-slapped by a thought…
What is treasure in heaven, REALLY?
For starters, what does the all sufficient Creator of EVERYthing treasure?
How does God define treasure?
I don’t think he defines it the same way we do.
He doesn’t need a Rolex or a private jet.
He isn’t impressed by shiny bling or bank accounts.
Are you ready for this? It might blow your mind right out of your face! (I warned you!)
I really think that the Eternal One defines treasure as “US”.
YOU are the pearl of great price that Jesus died to purchase.
YOU, ME, US, THEM…
To the One who paid the forever price…
WE ARE THE FOREVER TREASURE.
Trophies of grace…
Validated by a love that we definitely did not earn.
I think the rankings in heaven are pretty limited…
Champion: that’s not us, the only champion is the one who was crucified and beat death.
Cherubim: that’s also not us, that’s the angels.
Children: that IS us!! We are simply children who should all be equal in our delirious wonder that we made it to the table!
We are the treasure.
Christ finds his treasure in us.
We find our treasure in Him AND the fellow children we brought to Him.
What if the treasure we are promised are relationships?
Relationship with our Deliverer and relationships with family and friends.
A continuation of connection that was begun on earth.
What if someday, on the other side, you and Jesus go treasure hunting and it looks something like this:
Jesus: “my beloved treasure, do you see my other treasure over there sitting at the table? Do they look familiar? Let me tell you how you helped them find their place at the table. Your small act of kindness, your words, your unselfishness caused them to want to know me! And do you remember that barista that you talked to everyday? She’s right over there! She’s experiencing forever LIFE because you weren’t afraid of her lifestyle “
My friends, I now believe, with all my heart, that THAT is the treasure!
It’s all about Knowing Jesus and getting to know our family.
We have an eternity to do it!
Relationship is the reward.
It’s a holy friendship that is literally out of this world.
What if treasure in heaven is all based on who you know?
I know Jesus. AND HE”s RIGHT OVER THERE!!
I know there are people here because I helped them find their place at the family table.
And that is all.
And that is enough.
Sometimes we treat heaven like a big awards assembly, we totally miss the point…
It’s actually going to be a family reunion, a perpetual party!!!
I believe in Heaven.
carbonated joy 