Working with Eternity in View
Most of our work won't matter in eternity. But some will. Learning to distinguish between the two changes everything.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
I used to read this verse and think it was just about money. But it's about much more than that.
It's about how we invest our lives—including our work.
The Question
Here's a question that has transformed how I approach my work: Will this matter in eternity?
Not "Is this successful by worldly standards?" or "Will this impress people?" but "Will this matter when I stand before Christ?"
It's a sobering question. Because honestly, most of what we spend our time on won't matter eternally.
What Lasts
Scripture is clear about what has eternal value:
People: Souls are eternal. Investing in people—helping them know Christ, grow in faith, walk in truth—this lasts forever.
Character: What we become in Christ is eternal. The fruit of the Spirit formed in us, Christlikeness developed through trials—this we carry into eternity.
Obedience: Doing what God calls us to do, even in small things, has eternal reward. "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Love: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Love is eternal.
What Doesn't
Most of what the world values is temporary:
Money, position, recognition, success by worldly standards, building our own kingdom, impressive achievements that don't serve eternal purposes—all of it will burn.
"Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."
This isn't to say all regular work is meaningless. But it's a call to evaluate: are we working primarily for earthly success or eternal fruit?
How This Changes Your Work
When you work with eternity in view:
You choose differently: Some opportunities that look impressive, you'll pass on. Some humble tasks no one notices, you'll embrace—because they have eternal value.
You invest in people: Your coworker's soul matters more than the project deadline. Their growth in Christ matters more than their productivity for the company.
You work with integrity: No cutting corners, even when no one's watching. You're not working for human approval—you'll give an account to God.
You're free from worldly success metrics: If God calls you to something small by worldly standards but significant eternally, you can embrace it without feeling like a failure.
You focus on faithfulness: Your job is to be faithful with what God has given you. The results, the recognition, the success—those are His concern, not yours.
You work as worship: Whether you're writing code, leading a team, or cleaning an office, you're doing it for the Lord. That makes even ordinary work sacred.
The Tension
There's a tension here. We live in this world. We have bills to pay, responsibilities to meet, work to do that may not seem "spiritual."
The answer isn't to quit your job and only do "ministry work." The answer is to do your regular work with an eternal perspective.
You can write code for God's glory. You can serve customers in a way that reflects Christ. You can lead a business with eternal values.
It's not about what you do, but why and how you do it.
Today
Look at your to-do list. Look at your goals, your ambitions, your work.
Ask: What here will matter in eternity?
This isn't meant to discourage you. It's meant to focus you on what really matters.
Because you have one life. One opportunity to invest it for eternal purposes.
Work well. Work faithfully. Work with excellence.
But work with eternity in view.
When you stand before Christ, you want to hear "Well done," not "What were you thinking?"