How to Prepare for Heaven (1 Timothy 6:19)
By Lynette Kittle
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life—1 Timothy 6:19
Later in her life, my Mom began asking us what items of hers we would like to have when she went to be with Jesus. Of course, this wasn’t something we wanted to discuss or even think about at the time, so we tried to dodge her questions and change the subject.
But she was excited and looking forward to being with Jesus. Just as many plan for their future on earth, Mom was preparing for her future in Heaven by distributing her earthly possessions.
Because Jesus tells us He is preparing a place for us (John 14:3), there wasn’t anything wrong with her looking ahead and preparing in practical ways for her new life with Him. She was looking up, as the song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" encourages:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light o His glory and grace.”
If we think about it, life on earth really is all about preparing for our future. It’s about accepting God’s gift of Salvation, recruiting others to go with us, and storing up treasures in Heaven.
It’s true what Matthews 6:21 explains, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Even the happiest place on earth doesn't compare to the ultimate place of peace, joy, love, and more waiting for all of us who receive God’s gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
How to Prepare for Heaven While on Earth:
Because Heaven is our future destination, how can we prepare on earth for living there?
1. Receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. As John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
What could be more wonderful than to receive eternal life and live with Jesus?
2. Leave fear behind. Hebrews 2:9, explains how Jesus suffered death so that He might taste death for everyone. Because He died for our sins, we don’t have to fear death.
As 1 Corinthians 15:54 describes, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ’Death has been swallowed up in victory.’”
3. Recruit as many people as possible to go there, too. We truly can’t take any earthly possessions with us when we leave but we certainly can recruit loved ones and others to come with us.
Jesus encourages us to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), and when we do tell, others will receive eternal life with Him and never perish (John 10:28).
4. Store up treasures in heaven rather than earth. Isaiah 51:6, describes how the earth is set to wear out like a garment. So rather than spending our time, energy, and resources storing up earthly treasures, Jesus urges, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).
Unlike things we collect in the world, God’s treasures are made to last an eternity. 1 Timothy 6:18 encourages us to store up this kind of treasure by doing good, being rich in good deeds, and being generous and willing to share.
As 1 Timothy 6:19, assures, “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Whereas treasures in this life are temporary, treasures in Heaven build a strong foundation for our lives to come.
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, Startmarriageright.com, growthtrac.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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