How does God see those who brag about their good works as opposed to others who do just as much but never talk about it? In heaven there will be many believers who never received any acknowledgement while on earth, yet they faithfully prayed and humbly served Christ. Their own crowns may sparkle with more jewels than those who gave large contributions in exchange for having their names on plaques. Paul warned against the prideful heart but to glorify God and seek His approval instead of man’s. Galatians 1: 10 says: “(10)” For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Paul’s opponents accused him of making up a message of grace and freedom from the law in order to please the Gentiles. But Paul insists that his desire is to please God only as his willingness to suffer as a servant of Christ testifies. Moses gave up all earthly glory and possessions to identify with God’s people. He was the adopted child of an Egyptian princess, but he gave up the kingdom and crown of Egypt to be a child of God. He was educated in the finest schools, but he gave up the prestige to learn wisdom from God. Moses gave up the royal scepter to be rich in God’s law. The prophet was known as a shepherd, a leader, a deliverer, a lawgiver, and a judge. Moses said in Exodus 4: 10, “(10) O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue.” Moses’ excuses to God was similar to the prophet Jeremiah’s. “I am not eloquent” Because Moses was trained in the elocution of the Egyptians, he did not need an oratory course; he needed to start to trust the Lord. If God could speak from a burning bush, He could speak through Moses in front of Pharaoh. Oratory means a small chapel, especially for private worship.
And when he died, God spoke of him this way in Joshua 1: 2: “(2) Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordon, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give them, even to the children of Israel.” God promised the territory beyond the Jordon (the land of Canaan) to the Israelites in His covenant with Abraham and repeatedly reminded the people of this during the wilderness years. To seal Joshua’s purpose, God instructed him to walk ever patch of ground in Canaan, realizing that everywhere he walked, God had already given the land to him and the people. Israel had no official army and no weapons, and the territory was inhabited by seven nations more powerful than they were. Yet because God had promised, Joshua could boldly lead Israel to occupy the land. You see, when we reach Heaven, there will be no opportunity to brag of our exploits, our ambitions, or the joys of our pleasure; but we will have eternity to rejoice in how the Lord blessed our lives while on earth in the midst of hardship and blessings. We will fully understand that Christ also lived in us and glorified Himself in our weaknesses. It may take a lifetime to accumulate wealth and popularity, but it can vanish in the blink of an eye. While the Bible teaches us to store up treasures in Heaven, the greatest treasure is in knowing that we will be rewarded by His very presence – evermore.