Q.I'm confused about heaven. My friend's parents say that it's not enough to get saved so you can get into heaven, but that you have to serve God in certain ways to get special treasures, better standing, and even "mansions" in heaven. Is that what Christians believe? Is that really how it works?

A.I understand your confusion. Trying to earn special status in heaven sounds crass, doesn't it? "Go on two mission trips and serve in a soup kitchen for a month, and you'll get 250 Heaven Credits toward a mansion upgrade." Ugh. That's pretty twisted.

Trying to earn "better standing" (better than who?) makes heaven a competition. So you do a good deed just to get ahead of others? Or to earn material bonuses—even though material things won't matter in everlasting life with God? That turns even your acts of kindness into something selfish. It's like those catty Mean Girls characters who "befriend" someone only to get good things in return later.

In the Bible, Jesus encountered people who used goodness selfishly. He scolded the Pharisees, who had an elaborate system of scoring righteousness points. (See Matthew 23:23-24.)

Even Jesus' disciples argued over how they could be the greatest in heaven. James and John wanted places of special honor. Jesus corrected them: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Jesus was talking about a whole new attitude, not just clever ways to achieve status in heaven. Being with God forever is the gift and reward in itself.

But there's another side to the coin—and some deep truth to what your friend's parents are saying. You can't earn "Heaven Credits," but the way you live on Earth will determine how much you enjoy heaven when you get there. What do I mean? Well, Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20).

What's he talking about? I think he's saying that the things you invest in here will prepare you to enjoy the kind of life you'll experience with God in heaven. What matters to you now will be what matters to you eternally. If you don't learn to enjoy spending time with God while you're on Earth—through prayer and worship and serving—what makes you think you'll fully appreciate worshiping and serving God in heaven?

Let's imagine it as two people who are given a free trip to Paris. Both are grateful for the gift, but one doesn't think about it anymore until the day the plane takes off. The other person learns some French, reads up on what's in the Louvre, and studies tourist books to really begin looking forward to seeing the Mona Lisa, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe.

Who do you think will have the ability to enjoy the trip to Paris more? Obviously, the person whose attention has been focused on what Paris is going to be like and then worked toward understanding it better.

Doing God's will is certainly the big reason we pray, study the Bible, and serve others. Another reason? Well, like our friend who prepared for Paris, our efforts to grow in our faith focus us on what is eternally and heavenly important. They prepare us to enjoy God when we see him face to face. Now that's a heavenly treasure.

Marshall, a former pastor, is editor of Leadership, a magazine for pastors.

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