After a recent donation I made for EEM (they print Bibles and Bible story books), the lady there said thanks and included this: “Praise the Lord for the Eternal Impact this will make for the KINGDOM.” I thought about the significance of that statement. The gift would hopefully put a children’s Bible story book in the hands of a child in the Ukraine or one of the other 30 countries that EEM works for. A child that has very little or nothing, and that child will read that book and learn Bible stories that might lead them to become Christians later. Or the gift might put a Bible (translated into his native language) in the hands of a person in an very poor ex-Communist country in Europe who has no Bible. One lady said that her family had no books whatsoever, and the Bible EEM gave her was the only book in her house. That might lead to that person becoming a Christian and sharing the word with others in his family or community.

All of that might lead to someone having eternal life through faith in Jesus who died for them. Printing and distributing those Bible story books and/or Bibles will make an “eternal impact” for the kingdom of Jesus, which is the church. It will lead to many being saved and added to the church of Jesus Christ. That made me ask myself, “Am I doing things that will make an eternal impact of the life of anyone?” I need to use my money to support my family, but am I generously using my money to store up treasure in heaven? Jesus said, Matthew 6:¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You accomplish that by using your money, energy, and time to help others in need in the name of Jesus and to help spread the good news of salvation in Jesus here and abroad. A large % of the world’s population is still “unreached” with the gospel. When you help others you are storing up treasures “for yourself”, assuring yourself of a place with Jesus and his believers forever in heaven (wherever that is). You are not earning salvation by your good deeds, but you are showing that your faith in sincere and real. Faith that has no action is not sincere faith and will not be rewarded. We are saved by grace, not works, but we will be “rewarded”. Hebrews 11:⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.” As believers we already have eternal life, but when we die we will get a special reward of eternity in heaven without all the stuff we have to live with in this life. No more tears, no more pain, no more sadness when our loved ones die, no more living in a world full of violence and hate, no more worry, no more fear, no more stress I don’t know what that will be like exactly. One person, said “I sure hope there will be chocolate in heaven: I can’t live without chocolate!” Maybe, who knows. It will be Disneyland times one million and more.

So, today, ask yourself: “Am I spending most of my time, energy, and money on things that have no eternal impact for me or for others or for the kingdom?” Most of your time is spent on your job and sleeping, but what do you do with the rest of your time? What are you pursuing: money and things that money can buy for yourself or for your hobby, or shopping for clothes that you don’t even really need?

Something to think about.