Are There Money Bags in Heaven?

"Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys." (Lk.12:33)

Jesus didn't tell His disciples to sell everything they had and give alms. The New Testament records Jesus going to homes, being supported by people, some who were rich, the church meeting in houses, and so on, which proves that Christians did have possessions. Some even had slaves.

Jesus didn't say that disciples should not have possessions. However, He discouraged them to be possessive of things in this world.

In His commission to the 70, He told them not to carry money bags (Lk.10:4); for He was yet with them. But, before His arrest and trial, He asked His disciples to carry a money purse (Lk.22:36), for He was being taken away.

Yet, He warned them against covetousness and materialistic worries that are acts of anti-faith (Lk.12:15; Matt.6:31-34).

In the Millennium, and in God's Kingdom, there are no money bags like we have on earth, and there are no shops or financial businesses. However, there certainly are money bags that don't grow old and treasures that are everlasting; otherwise, Jesus wouldn't have asked us to prepare or store these. These wallets and saving deposits are more important and crucial.

The first treasure is our own soul, because, our soul is something that will continue beyond death. Jesus asked what a man gains if he obtains the whole world but loses his own soul. Peter instructed believers to guard against lusts that war against the soul. In a materialistic age, people pay lot of attention to the health of their bodies. But, it is even of greater value to care for our souls. Lazarus was not able to care for his sore-filled body. But, his soul was received in paradise. Each one needs to save his own soul by following Christ.

The second treasure is our works. Paul said that in the last day, our works will be tested by fire. The works that remain will be rewarded. But, the works that are burnt will be lost.

"Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1Cor.3:12-17)

Also, those who are unfaithful and sluggish will be removed from God's presence. For, though we are saved by faith, faith without works is dead, and we will be judged according to our works.

So, it is of utmost importance to watch after our souls and be diligent and faithful in the work God has assigned to us.

The third kind of treasures are works of kindness and charity that we do.

"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1Tim.6:17-19)

God is not a debtor to anyone, and he who gives to the poor lends to the Lord. (Prov. 19:17; 22:9)

The fourth is the pure gold of God refined in fire. It is something that we need to buy from God Himself.

"I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." (Rev.3:18)

This is the desire for God Himself and His holiness and the right perspective that comes from an intimate and genuine relationship with Him. Anything else, or in addition to Him, is corruption.

The Bible tells us that God's word is pure and precious and more to be desired than gold (Psa.12:6; 19:10). It tells us to let the word of Christ dwell richly in us (Col.3:16). Christ said that if we dwell in Him and His words dwell in us, then we shall ask what we desire and it shall be given to us (Jn.15:7).

Story of the Song Stuti Aradhana Upar Jati Hei

In 1995, while waiting alone in a van for his colleagues who had gone shopping, Wilson Burhankar, presently Senior Associate Pastor at the Fellowship Church of Itarsi, fell into ecstasy remembering the awesome goodness of God in his life. It was his first year in the Seminary as a teacher and his first year as a full-time Worship Leader at the Itarsi Church. He remembered the ill-battered lifestyle that he had lived prior to knowing Christ, the drunken boozes, the street fights, the nights spent singing at religious gatherings, and the continual stress and pain inflicted on his family because of his sin-laden lifestyle. But, one day the Lord changed his life all over. He came to the Seminary and underwent three years of theological training. The greatest surprise came when Dr. Thomas asked him to consider to stay back and minister here as a worship leader. Inside he felt totally unworthy, and yet was confident of the grace of the Lord. As he sat in the van considering these things, the...

Ibadat Karo by Anil & Reena Kant (Lyrics and Translation)

IBADAT KARO – ANIL & REENA KANT CHORUS: Hei duniya ke logon oonchi aawaj karon O people of the world, lift up your voice Gawon khushi key geet And sing the songs of joy Uska gungaan karo Declare praises of Him Ibadat karo uski Ibadat karo (x2) Worship Him, Worship… (Repeat Chorus) 1. Yaad karo ki vahi ek Khuda hein Remember that He alone is God Hum ko ye jeevan useene diya hein It is He who has given us this life Us charagah se hum sab hein aaye We all have come from that (spring) Humd o sana ke hum geet gaaye Let’s sing the song of His praise Rab ka tum shukar karo Give thanks to the Lord Oonchi aawaj karo Lift up your voice Gawon khushi key geet And sing the songs of joy Uska gungaan karo Declare praises of Him Ibadat karo uski Ibadat karo (x2) Worship Him, Worship… 2. Naamey Khudawand kitna mubaarak How blessed is the Name of the Lord! Mera Khudawand kitna bhala hein My God, How good is He! Rehmat hei uski sadiyon purani His compassion is from ageless past Wafa ka azar se yahi s...

Origin of the Poem "When God Wants To Drill A Man"

The poem as quoted in Oswald J. Sander's (not to be confused with Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)) Spiritual Leadership (1967) credits it to an "Author Unknown". The poem as he quotes it is as follows: When God wants to drill a man And thrill a man And skill a man, When God wants to mold a man To play the noblest part; When He yearns with all His heart To create so great and bold a man That all the world shall be amazed, Watch His methods, watch His ways! How He ruthlessly perfects Whom He royally elects! How He hammers him and hurts him, And with mighty blows converts him Into trial shapes of clay which Only God understands; While his tortured heart is crying And he lifts beseeching hands! How He bends but never breaks When his good He undertakes; How He uses whom He chooses And with every purpose fuses him; By ev...

Domenic Marbaniang

Search This Blog