C.S. Lewis, in The Great Divorce, stated:  “Fame in heaven and fame on earth are two quite different things.”  In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, we are admonished to “live for eternity.” How do we do that?  It involves a life of:

Giving (4:6) – Paul says, “I am pouring myself out slowly, and I willingly will shed my blood as a way to give myself all to God, even in death.”  Paul was setting sail for eternity; he was taking down the tent, and preparing to go home to be with Jesus.  In Philippians 1:21, he writes, “For me to live is Christ and for me to die is gain.”  Paul did not see himself sacrificing his life, but giving his life once and for all – for the gospel of Jesus.

Francis Chan, in his book, Crazy Love, challenges us to not see ourselves as sacrificing for God or see our relationships as doing a chore for God – if we do, “we get the glory, not God.”

Are you pouring out your life for Jesus? Are you giving your life to Jesus daily?  It’s a joy to give to Jesus!  David Livingston, missionary to Africa in the 1800’s, was speaking at Cambridge University to a group of students when he stated:  “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending my life in Africa . . . I never made a sacrifice.  We ought not to talk of ‘sacrifice’ when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.” Joyfully give yourself to Jesus daily.

Service (4:7) – In this verse, Paul is summarizing his life and was faithful to complete his life purpose.  His living testimony is:  With all that I am and with all that I have had, I have served the Lord, and I am leaving with NO REGRETS.  Live your life with no regrets!

Reward (4:8) – In this verse, we read there will be rewards for the way we live our lives.  Most of those rewards will be in heaven and not here.  The crown of righteousness will be rewarded to those who love to meditate on Jesus’ coming, resulting in them finishing the race rightly and faithfully.   A Biblical Truth:  Focusing on Jesus’ future coming will determine your behavior now and your rewards in heaven.

What are you living for?  Who are you living for?  Live for eternity!