Rewards and Treasures in Heaven: Matt. 6
Matt. 6:19-21 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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Seven times (verses listed below), Jesus mentions that the Father will "reward" those who perform acts of religious service (for Jews, this is giving alms, praying, and fasting). These religious acts are to be done with God's pleasure in mind, and not the pleasure of people who may be standing around. For me, the key is one of attitude, not one of location, i.e. doing things in a secret place or way. (I think Jesus' words are hyperbole, illustrating the difference between his attitude of serving the invisible God and the hypocrites attitude of serving gods that are visible--like human praise and applause.)
Jesus is telling his disciples, "If you want to follow me and serve God, your attitude is what will please God the most, especially if it is humble and bent on glorifying God alone." Is this truly possible?
After teaching his disciples what true religion looks like, Jesus seems to summarize his thoughts with the phrase "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
So the Father will rewards us, and we are commanded to "treasure up" "treasurers" in heaven (same root word for the verb and noun in Matthew 6:19-21). Thus, the Father wants to bless us with eternal blessings, and these blessings go hand-in-hand with an attitude of humility that glorifies God.
So, if God gets all the glory, what should our reward/treasure look like?
Gold Crowns: I used to hear the older members of my church (when I was young) state, "You will get a star in your crown for such a wonderful deed," or something like that. That is an interesting treasure--eternal crowns that symbolize our place in the Father as his children. It is also a victor's crown (1 Cor 9:25; Rev. 2:10) for those who win the race and overcome all testing. One side note: all crowns will be thrown at the throne of God (Rev. 4:10) because he is the only one worthy to be King--he and Jesus.
Applause of heaven. Perhaps the greatest reward is God himself saying, "Well done." (Matt. 25:21)
Christian maturity. By obeying Christ' teaching here, we will be better followers. So, "treasures" could be lives that are more like Jesus. Truly, the greatest treasure of all is having our hearts beat with the heart of God. Is that reward enough?
Saved souls and changed lives. Could treasures in heaven be those who see our changed lives and are inspired themselves to seek change? Could the treasures we gain in heaven be new brothers and sisters in Christ? Paul describes believers as his "crown" and joy--as his heavenly reward. (Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 2:19).
So, which image of "reward" and "treasure" do you like the best?
Remember: no reward from the Father is coming without a humble attitude that seeks to glorify God in all we do.
Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:2 So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matthew 6:4 and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5 When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matt 6:16 Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Seven times (verses listed below), Jesus mentions that the Father will "reward" those who perform acts of religious service (for Jews, this is giving alms, praying, and fasting). These religious acts are to be done with God's pleasure in mind, and not the pleasure of people who may be standing around. For me, the key is one of attitude, not one of location, i.e. doing things in a secret place or way. (I think Jesus' words are hyperbole, illustrating the difference between his attitude of serving the invisible God and the hypocrites attitude of serving gods that are visible--like human praise and applause.)
Jesus is telling his disciples, "If you want to follow me and serve God, your attitude is what will please God the most, especially if it is humble and bent on glorifying God alone." Is this truly possible?
After teaching his disciples what true religion looks like, Jesus seems to summarize his thoughts with the phrase "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
So the Father will rewards us, and we are commanded to "treasure up" "treasurers" in heaven (same root word for the verb and noun in Matthew 6:19-21). Thus, the Father wants to bless us with eternal blessings, and these blessings go hand-in-hand with an attitude of humility that glorifies God.
So, if God gets all the glory, what should our reward/treasure look like?
Gold Crowns: I used to hear the older members of my church (when I was young) state, "You will get a star in your crown for such a wonderful deed," or something like that. That is an interesting treasure--eternal crowns that symbolize our place in the Father as his children. It is also a victor's crown (1 Cor 9:25; Rev. 2:10) for those who win the race and overcome all testing. One side note: all crowns will be thrown at the throne of God (Rev. 4:10) because he is the only one worthy to be King--he and Jesus.
Applause of heaven. Perhaps the greatest reward is God himself saying, "Well done." (Matt. 25:21)
Christian maturity. By obeying Christ' teaching here, we will be better followers. So, "treasures" could be lives that are more like Jesus. Truly, the greatest treasure of all is having our hearts beat with the heart of God. Is that reward enough?
Saved souls and changed lives. Could treasures in heaven be those who see our changed lives and are inspired themselves to seek change? Could the treasures we gain in heaven be new brothers and sisters in Christ? Paul describes believers as his "crown" and joy--as his heavenly reward. (Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 2:19).
So, which image of "reward" and "treasure" do you like the best?
Remember: no reward from the Father is coming without a humble attitude that seeks to glorify God in all we do.
Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:2 So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matthew 6:4 and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5 When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matt 6:16 Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
Matt 6:18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
posted by Randy Rogers at
5:31 PM
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