Eternal Investments - Next Steps

Message Summary

“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 your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20). Scripture describes Heaven as paradise where believers immediately go to dwell with the Lord and other believers upon death. This heaven will merge with the New Heavens and New Earth at the resurrection of the dead at the End of the Age. Gaining heaven, being saved, is the primary treasure given to all believers. However, Scripture teaches additional rewards will be given based upon believers’ works while living. These rewards include heavenly houses, gold, silver, jewels, crowns, clothing, stars, and varying levels of responsibility over realms in the New Heaven and New Earth. How do you store up rewards in heaven? By giving God our time, talents and treasures.

1) Do you know for sure that you are going to heaven? Why?

2) How does investing in relationships equal investing in eternity?

Consider This

Heaven is home and home is where vibrant relationships dwell. At death, believers go directly to heaven where they receive, among other things, a perfected sinless personality, and some sort of intermediate body. They will live in the presence of God and have unspeakable joy and fellowship with the saints. They also may have a spectator seat for planet earth. Then, at the end of the age, believers also receive, among other things; eternal, imperishable physical bodies, rewards and responsibilities.

1) Jesus, “… will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Phil 3:21) Considering Jesus’ resurrected body, what do you think our resurrected bodies will be like? (see Luke 24:31 and 1 Cor. 15:40-44)

2) Considering the glory of the physical universe, how awesome will Heaven be? Read Philip 3:20-21 and discuss why the Apostle encourages believers to “forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.” (Philip 3:12-14)

3) Read the following and write out the reward. Which of these aspects of Heaven do you look forward to the most? Why?

a. 1 Corinthians 15:52-54

b. Matthew 19:27-30

c. 1 Corinthians 9:25

d. Rev. 2:26-28

e. Luke 19:17-19

f. Philip. 1:21-24

g. Hebrews 12:1

h. Ps 16:11

4) Read Matthew 6:1-4. What can you learn about eternal investment from these verses?

5) Pride versus humility. God hates pride (Proverbs 6:16), but loves humility. What do the following versus teach you about pride and jealousy versus humility and charity?

a. 1 Corinthians 4:7

b. Romans 12:3-5

c. Romans 12:9-10, 16

d. James 3:13-18

Moving Forward

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously, (2 Cor. 9:6).

1) What does Mark 12:41 teach you about eternal investments?

2) Consider Romans 12:13, Luke 14:13 and James 1:27. Is there someone to whom you could give compassion this week?

3) What do you have “credited to your account” (Philip 4:17) in heaven? What can you do to increase your investment in heaven this week?

4) Read 1 John 3:17 and James 2:14-17. If we are unwilling to give to help others, what does that say about our faith? Is there someone you know who is in material that you could help this week?

5) What part does faith play in the call to give? (Malachi 3:10) Are you ready to take a step of faith this week? Even if you start incrementally, it’s a step.

a. What are the rewards? (Luke 12:33)