An Inheritance in Heaven, January 17

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:4.AG 25.1

Christ was teaching, and, as usual, others besides His disciples had gathered about Him.... But there were many who desired the grace of heaven only to serve their selfish purposes. They recognized the marvelous power of Christ in setting forth the truth in a clear light.... Would He not lend His power for their worldly benefit?AG 25.2

“And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:13).... In the midst of the solemn instruction that Christ had given, this man had revealed his selfish disposition. He could appreciate that ability of the Lord which might work for the advancement of his own temporal affairs; but spiritual truths had taken no hold on his mind and heart.... [Jesus] was opening to him the treasures of divine love. The Holy Spirit was pleading with him to become an heir of the inheritance that is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” ... [But] his eyes were fixed on the earth....AG 25.3

The Saviour's mission on earth was fast drawing to a close. Only a few months remained for Him to complete what He had come to do, in establishing the kingdom of His grace. Yet human greed would have turned Him from His work to take up the dispute over a piece of land. But Jesus was not to be diverted from His mission. His answer was, “Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?” ... Christ virtually said, It is not My work to settle controversies of this kind. He came for another purpose, to preach the gospel, and thus to arouse men to a sense of eternal realities....AG 25.4

When He sent forth the twelve, He said, “As ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand ...” (Matthew 10:7, 8). They were not to settle the temporal affairs of the people. Their work was to persuade men to be reconciled to God. In this work lay their power to bless humanity. The only remedy for the sins and sorrows of humanity is Christ. The gospel of His grace alone can cure the evils that curse society.... He alone, for the selfish heart of sin, gives the new heart of love.^{30Christ's Object Lessons, 252-254.}AG 25.5