“Teacher, he replied, “I have kept all these from my youth. “Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” - Mark 10:20 - 21

The question of where we shall be after our sojourn here on earth has been presented in various ways and manner in order that we may understand the importance of the topic. Unfortunately, so many do not believe in the life that exists after this life on earth. Each time we preach on the topic, some simply laugh it away. The fact remains that your life on earth is NOT the real life; there is another life that spans into eternity which exist beyond this life. Where you will be in that new life is dependent on how you live in this one here on earth. A great irony is that we are accustomed to live as if this world is the real life. While life on earth is short, the real life spans into eternity. While joy in this world is short, the joy in the real life is unending! The real life is free from inhibitions, troubles, pains, sickness, disappointment, imprisonment, and all those things that characterize the present world. Some people believe that this world is for work, and when we die, we go home to rest. To some extent this is correct. But beyond that, is the unanswered question of where exactly you will be resting in the real life? While some may rest in heaven for eternity; some will definitely rest in hell for eternity. Therefore, the real life for some can be heaven; while for others, it may be Hell. Now I ask you, how do you want to spend your eternity? How you spend your eternity is dependent on how you live in the present life.

Today, Jesus reminds us that the life we live now is not the real life. To live the real life in heaven, we must be prepared to use EVERYTHING we have to serve the best interest of the poor – i.e. humanity at large. What this translates to is that, here on earth, you MUST employ your talents, your full potentials, power, money, fame, spiritual power etc. to serve the glory of God through service to humanity, especially the poor. As you do that, you build treasure in the real life! Beloved, do not say to yourself, "I am an eternally secure child of God. I am justified by faith alone. Don't tell me that the way I use my money could jeopardize my eternal destiny." No my dear! The faith which justifies PURIFIES—it purifies from the love of money. Or as Galatians 5:6 says, when it comes to justification before God, "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail but faith working through love." Beloved, the only way you can demonstrate love is by works. When you recall the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man is in hell because he delighted more in luxuries for himself than in love for Lazarus. It didn't make any difference that he thought he had a secure standing as a son of Abraham. Beloved, start today to build treasures in the real life by using what you have to serve the need of others.