4d • General discussion
Kingdom Key Point 98
I Live for Eternal Rewards
Matthew 6:20–21 (KJV)
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Kingdom Lesson
Jesus understood something about the human heart that every leader, entrepreneur, pastor, parent, and believer must eventually discover: every life is invested somewhere. We are all building something. We are all pursuing something. We are all laying up treasure. The question has never been whether we will invest our lives; the question has always been where we will invest them.
That is why Jesus spoke these unforgettable words in the Sermon on the Mount. He did not condemn success, productivity, wealth, or influence. Instead, He redirected them. He challenged His followers to lift their eyes beyond the temporary and begin living for what would outlast this world. Earthly treasures can disappear in a moment. Markets fluctuate, businesses fail, possessions wear out, reputations fade, and even our physical bodies eventually return to the dust. Yet Jesus points us toward a treasury that cannot be touched by decay, recession, theft, inflation, or time itself. Heaven is the only investment that never declines in value.
One of the greatest misconceptions among Christians is that salvation and rewards are the same thing. They are not. Salvation is the free gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. Eternal rewards, however, are the result of faithful stewardship after we have been saved. We do not work for salvation, but because we have been saved, we now labor to honor the One who redeemed us. Every act of obedience, every sacrifice, every generous gift, every faithful sermon, every disciple made, every hidden prayer, every temptation resisted, and every opportunity seized for God’s glory becomes an eternal investment.
Moses understood this truth centuries before Christ spoke these words. Hebrews tells us that Moses refused the treasures of Egypt because “he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” He willingly exchanged the wealth, comfort, and prestige of Pharaoh’s palace for the privilege of obeying God. Human reasoning would have called his decision foolish. Heaven calls it wisdom. Egypt’s treasures have long since disappeared, but Moses’ faithfulness continues to inspire God’s people thousands of years later. One investment lasted for a season. The other continues into eternity.
The Apostle Paul lived with this same eternal perspective. As he neared the end of his life, he did not boast about churches planted, miracles performed, or hardships endured. Instead, he confidently declared that there was laid up for him “a crown of righteousness.” Paul understood that the greatest reward was still ahead. What amazes me even more is that Paul’s influence has never stopped. Nearly two thousand years after he wrote his letters from a Roman prison, people are still being saved through the Book of Romans, strengthened through Philippians, encouraged through Ephesians, corrected through Corinthians, and inspired through Timothy. Every life transformed by those inspired writings adds to the eternal fruit of his faithful obedience. His earthly ministry ended, but its eternal rewards continue to grow.
This should encourage every leader. Never underestimate the lasting influence of faithful obedience. The lesson you teach today, the child you disciple, the encouragement you offer, the book you write, the ministry you support, or the person you lead to Christ may continue producing fruit long after you have entered Heaven. God’s economy measures success differently than ours. Heaven counts faithfulness long after earth has forgotten our accomplishments.
Scripture teaches that every believer will one day stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, often called the Bema Seat. This is not a judgment to determine our salvation, for our sins were judged at Calvary. Rather, it is a judgment of our works, our stewardship, and our faithfulness. Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 3 by comparing our lives to a building constructed with either gold, silver, and precious stones or wood, hay, and stubble. Fire will reveal the quality of every person’s work.
Gold, silver, and precious stones represent lives lived for God’s glory—acts performed with pure motives, obedience offered in faith, generosity given without recognition, and service empowered by the Holy Spirit. Fire does not destroy these works; it refines them.
Wood, hay, and stubble represent works performed for selfish ambition, human applause, personal recognition, or temporary gain. They may appear impressive to people, but they cannot withstand the searching evaluation of Christ. Paul gives a sobering warning that some believers will suffer loss because what they spent their lives building simply will not remain.
This reality should reshape the priorities of every leader. Before making a decision, ask yourself, “Will this matter one hundred years from now? Will it matter one thousand years from now? Will it matter when I stand before Christ?” Those questions have an amazing way of clarifying what truly deserves our attention.
The New Testament also speaks of five crowns that faithful believers may receive as rewards for lives well lived. The Incorruptible Crown is promised to those who discipline themselves and faithfully run the Christian race. The Crown of Life awaits those who persevere through suffering and remain faithful during trials. The Crown of Righteousness is reserved for those who eagerly love Christ’s appearing and order their lives in expectation of His return. The Crown of Glory is promised to faithful shepherds who lovingly care for God’s people. The Crown of Rejoicing, often called the soul winner’s crown, belongs to those who faithfully lead others to Jesus Christ.
These crowns are not given so we may exalt ourselves. One of the most beautiful scenes in all of Scripture is found in Revelation chapter four, where the redeemed cast their crowns before the throne of Christ, declaring that He alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Our rewards ultimately become our worship. We labor today so that one day we will have something worthy to lay at the feet of the One who gave everything for us.
The Bible concludes with one final reminder from our returning King: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Christ is not only returning as Judge and King—He is returning as Rewarder. That truth should fill every believer with hope and holy anticipation.
As I entered 2024, I found myself asking a different question than I had asked for much of my career. Instead of asking, “What else can I accomplish?” I began asking, “What will matter most when I stand before Christ?” That question changed everything.
After decades in ministry, business, and leadership, I made the decision to devote 100 percent of my life’s work to ministry, coaching, and writing. My greatest desire is no longer simply to build successful organizations or achieve personal goals. My passion is to disciple leaders, equip believers to discover and fulfill God’s purpose, and help people make a lasting Kingdom impact. I also want to leave my family and the congregation God has entrusted to me a legacy of faith that will outlive me.
Every book I write…
Every message I preach…
Every coaching session…
Every Kingdom KeyPoint…
Every leader I mentor…
is now filtered through one question:
“Will this matter in eternity?”
That single question has changed how I spend my time, how I invest my resources, how I lead my family, how I serve my church, and how I measure success. I have discovered that the greatest investment you will ever make is not in something you leave behind on earth, but in someone you will meet again in Heaven.
As leaders, we must remember that leadership multiplies influence. Every decision we make shapes families, organizations, churches, businesses, and communities. We can spend our lives helping people chase temporary success, or we can lead them toward treasures that will never fade. The greatest legacy any leader can leave is not merely wealth, buildings, titles, or accomplishments. It is people whose lives were forever changed because someone faithfully pointed them to Christ.
One day, every believer will stand before Jesus Christ. On that day, earthly applause will be silent. Awards, positions, possessions, and accomplishments will no longer matter. The only question will be whether we faithfully invested what God entrusted to us.
May we therefore live every day with eternity in view. May we build with gold, silver, and precious stones. May we serve with joy, give generously, lead faithfully, and love sacrificially. And when we finally see our Savior face to face, may we not only hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” but may we also have crowns to cast at His feet in grateful worship.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Coach Robert Quote
“The greatest portfolio you will ever build is not measured by what you accumulate on earth, but by what you invest in eternity.”
Kingdom Declaration
Today I choose to invest my life in what will last forever.
I will faithfully steward my time, talents, resources, relationships, and influence for the glory of God. I refuse to live merely for temporary success. I will build with gold, silver, and precious stones so that when I stand before Christ, my life will bring honor to Him. My heart is fixed on eternal rewards, and my greatest desire is to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Kingdom Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding me that this life is only the beginning of eternity. Teach me to value what You value and to invest my life in treasures that can never perish. Give me wisdom to faithfully steward every opportunity, every relationship, every resource, and every gift You have entrusted to me. Purify my motives so that my work is done for Your glory and not for the praise of people.
Help me to build with gold, silver, and precious stones that will endure the fire of Your evaluation. May I faithfully lead my family, serve Your Church, disciple others, and use every influence You have given me to advance Your Kingdom. Keep my heart fixed upon Christ and my eyes upon the eternal rewards You have promised to those who faithfully serve You.
And when I stand before You, may I hear those precious words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” May every reward I receive become another opportunity to cast my crown before Your throne, declaring that You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Robert E. Hardy
If these Kingdom Key Points have been a blessing to you and you want to see them go across the world in different languages — we invite you to pray about sowing a one time seed and or becoming a monthly ministry partner with us at www.wordoflifehouston.org. Together we can take these Kingdom principles to every nation, every language, and every generation. Thank you for believing in this mission.
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Kingdom Key Point 98
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