Will we have talents in Heaven?

I was recently asked the question "do you believe we will take our talents to heaven with us?" Since this is a new thought for me, I hadn't thought of it before being asked the question, I did my best to collect my thoughts and feelings on the subject before answering. But what do you think, will we take our talents with us to heaven?

This is what I said:

I received your question about if I believe we have talents in heaven. Truthfully, I am not sure how I feel about that. Everything I have read said that we will be too busy worshipping God and glorifying Him to be concerned with other things. I am not one to really believe that. I believe we will of course be worshipping and glorifying God, but I do not think that will be the only thing occupying our time. I believe we will be able to fellowship with those who have passed before us as well. Part of worshipping and glorifying God, I believe is using our God-given talents. Will our talents stay the same when we get to heaven? I do not know. I did not think of having talents in heaven until you posed the question; however, since I started thinking about it, I feel that everyone's talents will be equal. Since heaven is not a place with tears, sorrows, grief, or any other negative emotion, it is simply supposed to be a very happy place, I do not see God giving each person a different talent. I think that would lead to jealousy which is not in heaven.

I understand not wanting to go to heaven if you will not have what make you "you" here on earth, there are certain things that would make me not want to go to heaven, but as my roommate said to me tonight... if you are simply going to heaven to see those who passed on before you (as in my case) then is that the right reason for wanting to go? Our primary reason to want to go to heaven should be to glorify God and fellowship with everyone. We should follow the saying JOY...Jesus first, others second and yourself last, even in heaven, so if God chooses to take away our earthly talents and replace them with something else, I think it would be to benefit everyone in heaven that He would do that. It's hard to say exactly what heaven will be like as there is nothing that gives us a definitive answer to a complete picture of heaven in scripture. We get bits and pieces and know enough to know that it will be a happy place where we are free of our restrictions here on earth -- whether they are physical, mental, or emotional -- and we know that it will be a much better place to reside for the rest of eternity than hell.

Blessings in Christ,

Our Citizenship Belongs in Heaven

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saivor, the Lord Jesus Christ" - Philippians 3:20 (NKJV)

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" - Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)

These two scripture references I have much difficulty with. There's other scripture that I don't quite understand also, but for now I am focusing on these. I understand that our citizenship is in heaven, with our Father; but, what does that mean for us here on earth? I don't think that any country would allow anyone to withdraw their citizenship to remain citizenship-less... So how do we obey this? Some will argue that it means not getting involved with anything besides church activities here on earth. Others will say that there is no way to avoid being a citizen of some place on earth so why not get involved with as much as you can. Again, I go to the question of how far do you take a concept? I do not know, I struggle with this part.

The second scripture makes a little more sense to me because I can grasp the idea of not holding onto items here on earth. They certainly won't help me in heaven. But what all does this mean that I should avoid? Or does this simply mean that I should not told tight to those things on earth and truly reach for the wonderful things that await me in heaven? I have no answers for myself on this.

How do you separate yourself from the world? How do you establish your citizenship in heaven and not here on earth? How do you seek things from heaven while still here on earth?

So much to meditate on.

Blessings in Christ,