Trust helps societies not just exist, but prosper. When someone hands me a check, I trust that they have the money in their account. I trust that a restaurant serves safe food. If I need surgery, I trust that my doctor knows what she’s doing. Without trust, people grow paranoid, and societies break down.
New employees don’t start as president or CEO. They work their way up and prove they’re trustworthy and good for the company. Many jobs include a one-year probationary period, where employers evaluate performance and can let go of employees who prove unreliable, unknowledgeable, or below company standards. Being trustworthy in a spiritual sense matters even more, and it starts with changing our frame of mind.
We don’t know all the joys and treasures God has waiting for us in Heaven. But to receive them, we need to show we can handle the small treasures of this life first. What treasures excite us most right now? Do we chase money, fame, or power? Or do we build spiritual wealth, practice humility, and serve others instead? Heaven holds no money, fame, or power to gain. God holds all the power, and we will spend eternity adoring Him. Just as a lazy person can’t suddenly become a skilled doctor, someone who spends this life loving only themselves can’t suddenly switch to loving God completely in the next. This is why some people never reach Heaven. When we consistently choose behaviors that contradict Heaven’s values, we won’t choose Heaven when we die, because it will feel foreign to us. Why would someone who craves fame want to go somewhere they’ll never be famous? Why would a wealthy person want to go somewhere wealth means nothing?
If we can’t do small acts of good for others now, how can we expect huge rewards later? If we grow comfortable living in sin, how can we expect to feel at home in a sinless Heaven? When we align our mindset with God’s plans now, we guarantee that we’ll fit into His kingdom when we get there.
