Now in this time…and in the age to come

One of the aspects I try to convey is what I call practical every day Christianity.  What's in it for me now?  What I mean by that is what practical benefit on a day to day basis is there from being a Christian.  Eternal Life is the ultimate benefit but for some people, especially younger people, that can seem to be so far in the future as to not be "real".  On the other hand paying the bills and dealing with day to day life is very concrete.  I hope that makes sense.

For example Scripture tells us that God knows all of our needs and if we will trust Him, He will provide.  That is a very concrete benefit for the here and now. 

Well here is a Scripture that I ran across today that I think answers the question very succinctly. 

Mark 10:29-31(NKJV)

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 

who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Turns out Jesus addressed this topic directly.  The benefits of being a Christian are both for the here and now and for in the future for eternity.

I'd also like to point out one other thing.  There are many who criticize wealthy Christians.  "Why don't they give more of their money away?" and things like that.  Well look again at the Scripture above.

Jesus says whoever has given up things (including material things) for God will receive them back 100 fold in this time.  Now is this an isolated instance of this idea?  Nope.  Think back to the Parable of the Talents.  In that example those who were good stewards of their talents were given more responsibility and material things.  It even said that those who didn't steward their abilities well for God would lose what they had and it would be given to those who did do well.

So my point is that when you see a wealthy Christian consistently using his/her talents and material things for the good of God, why would you be surprised that they keep getting even wealthier.  It's what Jesus said would happen.