Page 59 - Principles for Discipling Others-Student textbook

Gold, silver, and precious stones do not burn up when placed on a fire. They endure the heat. But
wood, hay and straw burn up instantly and are gone. The Bible clearly says that someday we will be
judged based on our works. And the quality of our works will determine what reward we will receive.
If we are faithfully serving the Lord and accomplishing His plan for our lives, bringing Him glory, we will
receive eternal rewards at that judgment. But if we get sidetracked in our journey by the lures of this
world or by walking in sin, we will suffer the loss of rewards.

So what are some things that can lure us away from the path? Here are a few:

1. Wasting time. God gives you only so much time during your life journey. You will be accountable to
God with what you do with it. You can waste it by occupying your time with frivolous activities or you
can use you time on activities that do not really count for much. I know of a man who collects antique
cars. He has dozens of them. He buys old cars, fixes them up, and then puts them in his large garage.
He’s been doing this for over 40 years. Can you imagine, on judgment day, what value those cars will
have or the time he spent on collecting them? Here is a tip: invest you time on activities that will count
for ETERNITY.

2. Wasting our Resources. God supplies all our needs and sometimes He supplies more than we need.
What should we do with the excess? Should we buy more “things” to make our lives more comfortable?
God wants to meet the needs of others by giving you extra so that you can give it to them. He is looking
for those who would be willing to be a “channel” of blessing. He wants to give you extra so you will
send it on to those praying to have their needs met. You can mess up the whole process when you take
the extra God gives you and use it for yourself.

God might give you some material blessings. He may give you a car or a house. How can you use these
material blessings to honor God? We can invite others to our house for a Bible study. We can pick them
up with our car. You see, every blessing that God gives us can be used selfishly or can give God glory.

3. Wasting our Talents. God has given you unique abilities. Are you using these abilities to serve the
Lord or serve yourself? Perhaps you have a beautiful voice. You can sing the songs of this world and
your rewards will burn. But you can sing, uplifting our Savior, and be a blessing to multitudes. Perhaps
you have the gift of administration. You can then use this gift to help organize events that will bring
people to Christ. We will be judged on what we do with the talents God has given us.

The choice is yours. You can live for yourself or you can live for Christ.

II Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong

support to those whose heart is blamelesstoward him.

Will you be this man or woman?

11.4 Let’s Practice…

1. What does it mean when the Bible says, “redeem the time?”

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