Have you ever wondered what you’ll be doing in eternity?
Luke 16:10-13
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
God’s watching how we handle the little things now, money, time, even the gospel itself, to decide what He’ll entrust to us then.
This passage comes in the wake of the Parable of the Dishonest Manager (Luke 16:1-9), where Jesus uses a surprising and possibly confusing story to illustrate shrewdness in handling worldly resources for eternal purposes. This parable teaches us about how we'll be giving an account for how we how we handle the "little" things, like material wealth. How we handle our affairs reveals our character and readiness for greater spiritual responsibilities, especially in the little obligations. Small acts of faithfulness prepare us for bigger ones.
The idea is that God watches how we manage the fleeting stuff of earth to determine what He’ll entrust to us in His kingdom.
Have you ever thought about that?
About what you'll be doing in eternity.
We're not told much about heaven. We don’t get a detailed itinerary of day-to-day eternal life. Scripture does give us glimpses: reigning with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12), serving Him (Revelation 22:3), and enjoying a renewed creation (Revelation 21:1-4). But the specifics? A bit of a holy mystery.But we are told that we are accountable for our actions nowadays in relation to that eternal existence. And we know that one day we will pass away from this life and go into the next. And so, we know we've got to lay up treasures now in heaven. It's here that we do this.
If I’m faithful with a kind word today, maybe an anonymous blessing for those in need, might I then be entrusted with greater influence there?
If I steward my time for others now, could that prepare me to serve in ways I can’t yet imagine in heaven?
It’s not about earning salvation, that’s grace, but about proving trustworthy for what’s next. If I am unfaithful nowadays, what good will I be in heaven.
So we are to make use of this time and opportunity to invest in that future. It’s as if God is saying, "Show me what you do with a dollar, a moment, or a relationship, and I’ll know what you can handle in My forever kingdom."
The fleeting corruptible stuff of this earth, our paycheck, our schedule, it's all a test. If we can’t be trusted with that now, how can we handle the ‘true riches’ of God’s kingdom? One day, we’ll step from this world to the next, and what we’ve done with God’s gifts will echo there.
What if we shift the focus from material resources to the spiritual treasure of faith and our witness.
1. How are we handling the gospel?
2.What have we done with our testimony?
3. Does the world know Jesus because of us?
They’re a natural extension of the idea that God entrusts us with "little" to see what we’ll do with "much."
What are your priorities? What are you willing to invest your time and resources in, what things of your doing shares God's grace and gospel message of hope. Stewardship isn’t just about money or time, it’s about everything God gives us, including the gospel itself. The "very little" might include our personal story of faith, the truth of Jesus we’ve received, or the opportunities to share Him. If we’re faithful with that, God entrusts us with "true riches". Perhaps your eternal vocation will be a deeper influence, a wider reach, or a greater role in His eternal plan.
Are we cherishing the gospel, living it, sharing it, or letting it sit dormant? It’s like the manager in the parable: Are we using what we’ve been given wisely? When was the last time you shared your testimony in Christ? Our testimony isn’t just for us, it’s a tool. Have we buried it like the servant with one talent (Matthew 25:18), or multiplied it for God’s glory? Our faithfulness in these little acts, speaking, serving, loving, they all can multiple, and ripple out, pointing others to Him.
If God evaluates our faithfulness with the "fleeting stuff" and the gospel we share today, what might He have in store for us in eternity?
Ruling with Christ:
2 Timothy 2:12 says,
"If we endure, we will also reign with him."
Maybe in charge of cities. Serving as eternal guides. The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan hints at heavenly vocations, portraying eternity as a place of purposeful activity, not just rest. In Bunyan’s allegorical tale, heaven (the Celestial City) isn’t a passive destination. Characters like Christian and Faithful endure trials that prepare them for something greater.
Bunyan draws heavily on biblical imagery, like Matthew 20:1-16 (the laborers in the vineyard). In heaven, the faithful might tend God’s creation or cultivate His kingdom, a role echoing stewardship of earthly resources now. If we’re faithful with "very little" (Luke 16:10), we might be trusted with eternal harvests. Christian’s journey is one of witness, telling others of the King and the City. In the Celestial City, he’s welcomed as a pilgrim who’s run the race. Could this suggest an eternal vocation of proclaiming God’s glory, refined by sharing the gospel today?
The pilgrims’ ultimate reward is to serve and see the King. Revelation 22:3 ("His servants will serve him" ) aligns with this, and Bunyan paints it as active, joyful labor. Bunyan’s vision suggests that our earthly pilgrimage, how we handle trials, resources, and faith, trains us for vocations in glory. It’s less about clocking in and more about living out our redeemed purpose forever.
If we steward money well, we might tend God’s vineyard. If we share our testimony, we might evangelize in eternity. The way Christian meets Evangelist early on, then Interpreter and others, and finally sees the vineyard workers near the Celestial City, it paints a picture of a relay race of faithfulness. Those who’ve gone before serving in eternity, aiding pilgrims still on the journey.
The Vineyard Workers near the end, tending the fields outside the Celestial City, suggest an eternal vocation. They’re not idle; they’re working, perhaps sustaining the land or welcoming pilgrims. Bunyan places them there as Christian nears his goal, implying they’re former pilgrims now serving in glory. It’s as if eternity includes a chain of stewardship: those faithful in their "very little" (Luke 16:10) become part of God’s workforce, aiding those still running the race.
I see it as a cycle, our stewardship now echoes into eternity, where we might serve to guide or sustain future pilgrims, whether that’s literal (in a spiritual sense) or symbolic of God’s ongoing work. If so, we’re part of that relay race now, passing the baton until we join those serving at the finish line.
Today, be an evangelist or a worker in your own way, use something small to point someone to Jesus. It’s practice for the long run.
Prayer:
Lord, I’m a pilgrim now, but I want to serve in Your relay. Help me steward the gospel and my story, so I’m ready to guide or tend for You in eternity. Lord, I don’t know all I’ll do in eternity, but I want to be ready. Teach me to steward the small stuff now, so I can honor You forever. Lord, I don’t know all I’ll do in eternity, but I want to be ready. Help me steward the little things, the gospel, my story, for You. Let someone know Jesus because of me today.
Amen
Extra Credit Food for Thought:
Who do you most relate to in Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress?
-
Christian: The pilgrim himself, burdened by sin, then driven by hope. Fleeing the City of Destruction, facing trials like Vanity Fair, yet pressing toward the Celestial City. He stewards his journey, learning to handle faith and testimony along the way. Relatable if you feel like you’re still running the race, unsure but determined.
-
Evangelist: The guide who points Christian to the path. He’s faithful with the gospel, using it to direct others. Those who love sharing Jesus, or aspire to, might see themselves here, practicing now for an eternal role of witness.
-
Faithful: Christian’s companion who stays true, even to martyrdom. He stewards his testimony boldly, making the world know Jesus through his stand. Relatable for those who’ve faced resistance yet held fast.
-
Hopeful: Joins Christian later, born of trials and grace. He’s a fruit-bearer, encouraging others. Readers who’ve grown through hardship might connect, seeing their stewardship as a quiet influence preparing them for eternity.
-
The Vineyard Workers: Nameless but active near the Celestial City, tending the fields. They suggest a humble, steady faithfulness stewarding of what’s given for the King. Relatable for those who serve behind the scenes, trusting that their "little" matters.