Tag Archives: Eternity

What is Your Eternal Net Worth?

One of my favorite Bible teachers and minister, Alstair Begg, recently chastised us for being more concerned with our IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) than our IEAs (Individual Eternity Accounts).  That brought to mind a WordBytes teaching I had written a few years ago.  It still has relevancy for those who have “an ear to hear.”  I hope you enjoy it.

“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Cor. 3:12-15 (NIV)

Net worth is a financial term used to describe the total value of all possessions minus all outstanding debt.  It reflects what is earned for personal benefit.  If we apply this financial term to spiritual things, eternal net worth is the value of one’s works that will be accounted to the believer for reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  How comfortable are you with your eternal net worth?  Here are some factors for consideration as you answer this question.

The Day will bring it to light.   The Day refers to the time of the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema Seat (1 Cor. 3:13) where each believer may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10). It is appointed to man once to die and then the judgment. (Heb. 9:27)  We will not be judge for our previous sins since Jesus Christ paid that price on Calvary.  It is here where believers will receive their eternal rewards.

Fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  At the Bema Seat, before issuance of eternal rewards there will be a “testing” of the worth of the believer’s completed works. The quality of the work is judged on its eternal value. Works of eternal value result in expansion and extension of God’s kingdom on earth. (Isaiah 61:1- 3)

If what he has built survives, there is reward.  One of God’s moral qualities is justice.  It is here where He will fairly evaluate not only the end result of the believer’s works but also the motives and the attitudes behind them. (Rom. 2:16)  To receive reward, the believer’s work must pass the holy scrutiny of God’s evaluation.  (1 Cor. 3:14)

If what he has built is burned, there is loss. The salvation of the believer will not be loss but how sad it will be for them to see their worthless works burn in the holy fire of God.  They will leave God’s throne with no rewards.  They will have no crowns to cast at the Savior’s feet. (Rev. 4:10)

Faith and action work together; faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:22-26) While our works are not redemptive in nature they do reflect our obedience and submission to God’s plan and purpose for our life. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field. (1 Cor. 3:9)  What is your eternal net worth?

Thank You from the Hamilton’s

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father,

who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,

comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJ)

Dear Friends and Family of In the Word Ministries,

Words cannot express Ron and my gratitude for your prayers and comforting words as our son Rhone experienced his second stroke.  It was your prayers that consoled our hearts and God’s grace that sustained us during this difficult period.  On Monday, June 11th, our prayers for total healing were answered as Rhone transitioned to heaven to be  forever with the Lord.   Yes, I said “total healing” for Rhone is no longer dependent on machines and medical knowledge for restoration and is now transformed to the beautiful and awesome man God created him to be.  He is totally and completely healed!

Although our hearts are truly broken, Ron and I hold fast to God’s hand, “full persuaded” that we will see Rhone again and that the Healer of Broken Hearts holds our family in His bosom.  God knows our pain.  Rhone’s passing did not catch God by surprise.  Rhone had successfully  completed his 47-year assignment.  He has completed his race!

As we finalize plans for Rhone’s Celebration of Life in July (Praise the Lord, Rhone will not be joining us), God has left me a Word (four to be exact) to share with you.  As I read Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica, the word “consolation” stood out:  “everlasting consolation, good hope by grace, and comfort for our hearts.”  I asked Jesus, “how do You comfort my heart especially at this moment when it is breaking?”  The Holy Spirit answered!

By Release.   Through my tears, I fall forward into the arms of God.  I cannot busy myself forever but must now face the void left in my heart when Rhone took his last breathe.  My expressions of sorrow–lack of appetite, periods of sadness, and difficulty in rising some mornings, are all signs of my need to depend on God during this time of loss.  I now “cast my burdens on the Lord because (I know) He cares for me.” (Ps. 55:22)

In Rest. I must be intentional in getting physical rest–a mid-day nap is the answer for the emotional exhaustion I feel as I restart my life after my time in Denver.   God has blessed both Ron and I with nightly sleep so that we can continue the journey God has set forth for our lives.  We cannot stay in the valley.  “He leads me besides the still water.  He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23: 2-3)

Through Remembrance.  Remembering the special times Ron and I shared with our son gives me the opportunity to “re-experience” the joy of that moment.  Exploration of shared memories and experiences helps me “return to joy”.   “I thank God in my remembrance of you.” (Phil. 1:3)  Thanks Kimmie for teaching me this priceless spiritual practice.

In all these, God is present.  We never walk alone–God carries us! God allows all our emotions (which He has given us) to surface as we freely grieve with our family, connect with our community, and receive the love of our friends.    Lastly, God comforts me…

Through a Reminder.  The reminder of my future.  The future which I draw closer to with each passing day.  My future home in glory.  I am reminded that “if this earthly temple is destroyed, I have a building of God, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1).  I am reminded that “I have an inheritance reserved for me in heaven” (1 Pet. 1:4).   I am reminded that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6).  What wonderful reminders God has left in His Word.

Again thank you, my family in Christ, for your love and prayers.  Keep them coming.  To God be the glory!

Eileen