From the Elder's Pen "Materials For The Master Builder" 9/7/03 Past/Future Articles

 A rich lady dreamed that she went to heaven, and there saw a mansion being built.  “Whom is that for?” she asked of the guide.  “For your gardener.”  “But he lives in the tiniest cottage on earth, with barely enough room for his family.  He might live better if he did not give away so much to those miserable poor folks.”  Further on she saw a tiny cottage being built.  “And whom is that for?” she asked. “That is for you.”  “But I have lived in a mansion on earth.  I would not know how to live in a cottage.”  The words she heard in reply were full of meaning: “The Master builder is doing His best with the material that is being sent up.”  Then she awoke, resolving to lay up treasure in heaven.  What are we sending up?  What kind of material are we building into our every day life?
 Jesus taught: “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:20, 21).
 Millions are tempted to leave the Lord out of their lives and give all their time to material things.  Thus, they may occasionally attend a worship service, but never become a Christian.  Should this continue until death, there will be no place in heaven for them!  Jesus taught: “for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24), and only those who do the Father’s will, can enter the kingdom (Matt. 7:21).  Those who are investing ONLY in material things will lose all.
 One may become a Christian and still refuse to lay up treasures!  In fact, we can allow the material things to take over our lives and never seek first the kingdom (Matt. 6:33).  No, we can’t buy heaven, because it is a gift of grace from the Lord, but we must prepare for it.  The New Testament describes heaven as a place prepared by the Lord for those who prepare!  The gift of eternal life is given only to those who love the Lord enough to serve Him, and love of the world can never substitute for the love of God.