Greater Rewards

Bulletin

Dan Peters
08/27/23 - Heaven

Greater Rewards

Consider the following passages about greater rewards in heaven: “Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” (1Cor. 3:8). “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Cor. 9:6-7). The reaping is in heaven, whether bountifully or sparingly. Bountifully and sparingly are not the same.
Laying up treasures in heaven: “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. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Mat. 6:2-4). Jesus applies the same principle to fasting, and praying (6:5-18). Jesus’ words are validated later in the book of Acts when the angel of God says to Cornelius, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” (Acts 10:4). Cornelius’ prayers and gifts to the poor didn’t evaporate in thin air. They were transferred to heaven. No thief can steal them from heaven. No moth will corrupt them there.
Jesus taught, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14). This is what Paul means when he says, “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2Tim. 1:12). All the labor, work, and suffering Paul endured while on earth, he dies empty handed. But Jesus guards what Paul gave him, Paul trusts in him. Paul’s 401K was in heaven’s bank, a righteousness currency that is out of this world. Paul encouraged others to invest, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;” (2Cor. 9:10). Yes, you can increase your harvest of your righteousness, per Paul. Dan Peters