[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during February 2021]
We were on child-minding duty recently. Young David had a break from his online lessons and started to play one of his video games. It seems that he has had rather too much practice and he moved through the game too rapidly for me to follow. However, I did catch sight of a dialogue box with a message that started a chain of thought.
Achievements cannot be credited in this world.
From what I understood, it seemed that the accumulated achievements of one phase of the game would open a way to access another higher level but, having done that, the player started the next phase with no extra benefits. Is there a parallel with those who hope their achievements in this life will give them access to heaven?
The story is told of a man who approached the gate of Heaven with two heavy suitcases. “You can’t bring them in here” said the gatekeeper. The man replied “But they represent my life’s achievements, they’re worth a fortune!” The gatekeeper opened the suitcases and saw that they were filled with gold bars. He turned to the man and asked “Why have you brought more paving slabs?”
Achievements cannot be credited in this world.
Is there any merit in amassing credits or storing up treasure if you are not going to be able to benefit from them? This does not mean that our achievements during our time in this world are worthless; rather that we cannot take them with us when we move on. Throughout history we can see people whose achievements have been of great benefit to those who followed them but, in a paraphrase of Job’s observation, they came into the world empty-handed and they left empty-handed.
The apostle Paul wrote to his protege Timothy:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” [1 Timothy 6 v17-18 NIVUK]
Philanthropy depends on there being a surplus of income over expenditure but philanthropy itself is not a ticket to Heaven. Such blessings as we have have been lent to us by God and we do well to remember that, in his parables, Jesus addressed some of the harshest criticism to those who did nothing with the talents that had been entrusted to them.
This raises the question of “What motivates our achievements?” It is not good works that achieve eternal life but rather eternal life that promotes good works. A better answer comes from the grand master of motivational speaking, Jesus himself, in his Sermon on the Mount:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5 v16 NIVUK]
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
