Laying up Treasures in Heaven.
By C. A. Osgood
Multitudes, moved with the greatest ardor, are laboring with untiring diligence and perseverance, to “lay up treasures upon earth.” But heavenly treasures far exceed in value all that can be gained of this world's possessions. Well would it be for us if we would labor as wisely, diligently, and perseveringly, to lay up treasures in Heaven, as they do to secure “the unrighteous mammon.” We are encouraged to do this, by the assurance of our Saviour, that property invested in Heaven is safe. No thief can ever enter that holy place, to carry off our goods. No fires will ever burn up those mansions; nor will floods carry them away. There moth and rust cannot corrupt. It becomes, then, a question of great interest, How may we lay up treasures in Heaven? It is evident that unconverted persons, who are living in sin, and who are servants of sin, are not doing this. We read that “the wages of sin is death”—poor wages indeed—that impenitent men are “treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” In the general, I would say, that those who keep the commandments of God, and overcome their sins and spiritual foes, are the ones who are laying up treasures in Heaven. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22: 14. “To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” 2: 7. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” 3: 4. “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” 3: 21. How encouraging these promises are, to the Christian soldier, in times of fierce temptation! Again, we lay up treasures in Heaven when we suffer cheerfully for Christ’s sake. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” 2 Tim. 2: 12. Said our Saviour: “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice [ye in that day], and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven.” Matt. 5: 11, 12. Paul wrote thus about these things: “These light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.” So that sorrows, and trials, and persecutions, will make us richer when we go where Jesus is. Then and there no affliction will press down the saints of God. Now they suffer, then they will be glorified. Here they are poor, there they become exceedingly rich! By using property faithfully, in promoting the cause of God and the welfare of mankind, we may increase our wealth in Heaven. Said our Saviour, to a certain rich man, “Go and sell all that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven: and come and follow me.” Matt. 19: 21. Again, when at a feast, he said to the man that bade him, “When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And thou shalt be blessed; for they can not recompense thee; but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Paul said to Timothy, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Tim. 6: 17, 18. Thus may earthly riches be exchanged for heavenly. Again, those who are faithful shepherds over God’s flock, and those who lead sinners to repentance, are increasing greatly their heavenly treasures. Said Peter, “The elders which are among you, I exhort, ...... Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, ...... and when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5: 2, 4. In the book of Daniel we are informed that “they that are wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.” Finally, all those who are faithful in the use of the talents which our Lord has intrusted to them, are making the wealth of Heaven their own. The Lord has said to us, with regard to these: “Occupy till I come.” And he who uses them, not for his own carnal pleasure, but for the glory of God and the interests of his cause, will hear the Lord say to him, when he comes to reckon with his servants, “Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matt. 25, 21. Well may the people of God “be always abounding in the work of the Lord.”