Heaven's Trinkets

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

...they fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11)

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I often hear the comment made to people who have gone through a trying time or season of suffering (or spent decades with a cranky spouse), "You're going to get an extra jewel in your crown for that."

It comes from the idea that we will receive crowns in heaven, and the more difficulties we've endured or the more good deeds one has done, the more be-jeweled your crown will be.

I think sometimes it turns into an unspoken competition. A silent attitude of "I want my hard work to have paid off."

Some folks feel "It wouldn't be fair if others get the same as me; I deserve better for all the hard work I've done. It wouldn't be right if those who haven't done as much as I have were to get the same as me."

Love doesn't keep score. This attitude of performance and reward is a foreign concept for people of grace.

Heaven's rewards--Jewels in our crowns and crowns for our heads. The crowns are not for us, and not for "bragging rights", as many suppose. We will turn around and cast those very crowns at the feet of the King in an act of worship. The crowns we receive are not for us; they are for Him.

The jewel-encrusted crown for which many have labored are mere trinkets. The icons of our greatest efforts are like the dime-store mardi gras beads for which we clamored as children.

Our crowns are heaven's trinkets--of little value compared to the riches and glory of The King. They are like pennies given to children to toss into the fountain. The value is not in the object being thrown, but seeing the joy, enthusiasm and expectancy on the faces of the children doing the throwing. The real treasure is simply being with the King Himself.