Revelation 3:18
Heaven does not store up value in “things.” Money is not a measuring cup for significance, nor success a report card for value to a God who is all-powerful. After all, God uses gold to pave streets, and the front-page news of Heaven will be filled with how incredible Jesus is. God is not impressed by the talents He gives us, and He doesn’t surround Himself with useful things. His home is in the circle of joy He finds with His children. Love is the currency of God’s Kingdom if we would only have eyes to see that now.
Cornelia was the daughter of a wealthy Roman personage in the ancient Republic (200BC), though wealth was not her claim to notoriety. Having lost most of her children when they were young, two of her boys survived. One day, Cornelia entertained a special guest, a rather wealthy Roman aristocrat. This woman proudly showed off her jewelry to her hostess—not uncommon in a culture restlessly posturing for honor. When the woman challenged Cornelia to display her own jewels, Cornelia, tempered by life’s tragedies, perceived with clarity what was most valuable. She gestured toward her two sons who had just entered the room, “These are my jewels,” she confessed. [1]
What is Heaven’s currency, and what does God value? The adoring faith of His children is the precious, rare community that God treasures. Children are His pride and joy. Each of His sons and daughters is His collectible, His one-of-a-kind gemstones. Peter decries gold, “which perishes” (1 Peter 1:7), but genuine faith in God is “of greater worth than gold.” God loves the faith His children have in Him, the nurtured joy of trusting in Him.
The Kingdom of Heaven speaks its own language, wears its own wardrobe, and transacts in its own currency. To operate in a heavenly Kingdom, we have to exchange earthly currency for things of heavenly value. Jesus is inviting us to change cultures. Buy “salve” for our eyes so that we can see what God loves. John’s letter to the churches (Revelation 2–3) is a reminder for us to clothe ourselves in a heavenly wardrobe today. Your faith in Father God is “most precious.” And the sacrifice of love for other people is the way we grow rich in His love today.
[1] Fadiman, Clifton and Andrew Bernard, eds. "Cornelia," In Book Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes. New York: Little Brown and Company, 2000.
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