Jesus taught that how we live on earth has bearing on what we will have 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 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.”
(Mat 6:19-21 NASB)
Now, this is a bit controversial, and I thought like a lot of people until I read works by Randy Alcorn and began looking at the Scriptures more closely. Many have the view that when we all get to heaven, we will all be the same. We will all have the same reward and the same level of knowledge. While we are all saved by grace, their are different levels of reward in heaven based upon the way we live our lives here. We will not be condemned for our bad works, but our works will be judged. Paul wrote the following to the Corinthians.
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
(1Co 3:12-15 NASB)
So, we see that there will be a difference. How we live and minister now will have eternal consequences. Therefore, we should approach decisions and life asking if what we are doing or may do will have lasting, eternal significance. Unfortunately, I don’t remember who exactly said it, but someone once pointed out that there are three things that will last for eternity: God, His Word, and the souls of people. In as much as we invest our lives in those three things, we have invested our lives in something of eternal significance.
