Growing up, I lived with my grandparents about as much as I lived with my parents. My aunts, uncles and cousins were always around as well. As a result of growing up around a variety of people of different ages, I now enjoy being around a variety of people of different ages.
One of the greatest differences that I have observed in older versus younger people is the difference in motivations.
I seldom hear younger people fantasizing about heaven. Maybe it’s because they think it is so far away, that there’s not a lot of need to think about it yet. Older people are a different story. Talking about heaven is one of the things I like best about being around older people. When they think and talk about heaven, it takes my mind there as well.
I still classify myself in the younger category, but I’ve been thinking about heaven a lot lately. I think it has a lot to do with my personal Bible reading. The Bible is always looking forward to that glorious day when this short life will end and the long life will begin.
I think we need to think about heaven more and talk about it more. I think that having our minds set on heaven will provide us with the right kinds of motivations. We’ll be motivated to do better things with our time and our resources when we imagine what our rewards will be in the next life.
Should we be motivated by rewards in heaven? Yes. Jesus and Paul both were:
Hebrews 12:2 – …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…
2 Timothy 4:8 – …8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
What helped Jesus endure the cross? The future joy of heaven. What enabled Paul to endure the many hardships of his ministry? His reward in heaven. What will enable you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus? Thoughts of heaven.
In our study today of Matthew 5:19, Jesus is going to give us some insight into several things, including our future rewards in heaven.
Thinking about it, I can’t wait to go! Who’s coming with me?
Much love,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
