I am reading the One Year Bible with my church. It is becoming one of the most rewarding pleasures I have done so far this year. I am glad it was on my to do list.
The other day one of the bible verses was about rewards in heaven and it really made me happy on the inside to know that I have so much more to look forward to than the things of this earth. Here is one of the many bible verses that talks about treasures in heaven:
" 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 you heart will be also. Matthew 6:19
The majority of my life I can honestly say that I was selfish towards God. I always had the attitude that if I did something good I expected something good in return. But, with age, maturity, really getting to know God on a personal level. I now can say I have had an attitude adjustment. I don't know if it came from taking the wisdom from God and using it for others and not me or if God just gave me a swift attitude adjustment kick. I prefer to believe it was not the latter. My attitude now is simply expecting nothing in return for what God asks of me. It is not that God would reward me for doing something good, but that God is expecting this kind of behavior from me regardless.
When I read that verse I know it is talking about money and possessions but it also makes me think of the difference between being Selfish and Selfless. I think of two people in my life that are definitely going to have treasures waiting on them in heaven. The first one that comes to my mind is my husband, Drue. When I think of Drue all I can think about is what a selfless man he is. He is selfless like Jesus was who did not think about Himself but gave Himself up for our sake. A godly husband would love God first and then his wife. Jesus, when on the earth would first spend time with the Father and then minister to the people, in the same way husbands need to spend time with God and then direct his family. This all reminds me of my husband. When I think of Drue I think of a selfless Godly Man.
The second person is my Mother, Patsy. When you look up the word selfless in the dictionary I am almost sure there is a picture of my Mom next to it. (if not I need to start working on that.) I call her selfless because she never thinks about herself. She's constantly thinking about her kids, her family, friends, and even strangers that she's just met. She gives and gives and gives and never asks for anything in return. She deserves the world and even though I cannot give it to her, I know my Lord has something very special for her someday.
I love this quote, "When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."~Joyce
God has a plan for all of us here on earth in Jeremiah 29 it says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
It brings me so much joy to know that my God has a special place for me in heaven and I know that the things of this earth are never going to be as great as what God has in store for me in heaven.
Read more articles by Jayne Stouse or search for articles on the same topic or others.