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NASB | Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; |
Subject: Treasure? |
Bible Note: You make several good points. The main and most important benefit or reward here on earth resulting from being in God's family is the peace and tranquility we get in spite of living and working in a world filled with lost sinners and much Godlessness. Now concerning "storing up treasures in Heaven," I do think God expects us to do everything in our power to spread His Good News of His Son's offering salvation to the whole world. And I think we'll be better able to appreciate whatever reward we get ultimately in Heaven; I'm just not sure how to describe that reward with specifics. I don't think the Bible is very clear with its description of this reward. Revelation is filled to overflowing with pictures of heaven with reference to streets of gold and mansions of wonderful jewels and costly stones but personally I think this is all figurative, especially for the first century christians. But all of humans have a great tendancy to think in finite terms as that's all we can comprehend completely. So God has great difficulty in describing exactly what He's got in store for us, but whatever it is, it's going to be greater than any of us could possibly imagine. My last point: I'm thankful to God that none of this controversy is going to matter very much as long as we put our faith in Him, His Son and the Perfect Sacrifice that Jesus performed for us on that cross. Overall the Bible seems very clear: IF we've complied with the terms and conditions of Jesus' Last Will and Testament, we qualify to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and go home to God the Father. True enough, there's absolutely nothing that you or I can do to earn this coveted reward. We just show proof just like the separation of the sheep and goats. There it's very evident who's who and what's really inside a person life: devotion to God or a choice to follow the devil. Is our name in the Book of Life? How can we be certain? Put our talents to work for Him as plainly portrayed in Jesus' parable of the talents. How can we be certain we'll get into the gate at the final showing of the bridegroom? By studying God's Word and staying in constant prayer to God, keeping God's light brightly shining throughout the world in our lives, as described in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins. I hope this clarifies my statement. God bless. --Rowdy |