Here And Now, Or Treasure In Heaven?

“For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will be brought to life. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer a loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.”                        -1 Corinthians 3:11-15

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Mathew 6:19-21

What hinders me from serving God effectively? What pulls me to gather treasures here on earth? Well, obviously, it’s because the things of the world are right in front of me; but when I only see those things at this life I’m living, it’s like I’m looking at half of a picture while the artist is standing next to me trying to tell me about the meaning of the entire picture. The scenario sounds ridiculous, but it is what I do when I focus on what I have been saved from more than I focus on what I have been saved for. I was saved from sin for a personal relationship with God. I was saved from death for eternal life in God’s presence. I was saved from hell for Heaven. But what does this have to do with ‘treasure in Heaven’? Well, I can’t effectively serve God if I don’t have an understanding of who He is and what He says in His Word. I can’t effectively engage in the battle if I don’t know what I am fighting for. I can’t effectively work to build His Kingdom if I haven’t seen the blueprints. And I won’t learn any of these things if I don’t look past the distractions in front of me and turn my focus heavenward.

I have been given the gift of eternal life, but is that changing the way I live? Am I using the time I have here to prepare for it, or am I living like this life is all I have?