{"id":53099,"date":"2018-07-17T09:16:23","date_gmt":"2018-07-17T06:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=53099"},"modified":"2025-07-23T22:31:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T19:31:34","slug":"53099","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2018\/07\/17\/53099\/","title":{"rendered":"WHO IS GREAT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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\u00a0<\/h1>\n

There is a key distinction between authority<\/strong> and wealth<\/strong>\u2014both on earth and in the Kingdom of Heaven. Understanding this difference helps us grasp what true greatness means in God’s eyes.<\/p>\n

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Authority vs. Wealth on Earth<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On earth, people may possess wealth, authority, or both. However, authority<\/strong> is not determined by how much someone owns. For example, political leaders\u2014governors, councilors, ministers\u2014may wield immense power over regions and even the wealthy. A rich person cannot overturn a governor\u2019s decree simply because they have money. Earthly authority comes from a position, not possessions.<\/p>\n

Similarly, in God\u2019s Kingdom, greatness<\/strong> and spiritual wealth<\/strong> are distinct. A person may have spiritual riches without being considered \u201cgreat,\u201d and vice versa.<\/p>\n

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Spiritual Wealth in the Kingdom of Heaven<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Just as earthly wealth is gained through labor and discipline (Proverbs 10:4), spiritual wealth is earned through faithful living<\/strong>, generosity<\/strong>, and service<\/strong> to God.<\/p>\n

Jesus instructed:<\/p>\n

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\u201cSell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Luke 12:33 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Spiritual wealth consists of eternal treasures\u2014acts of love, preaching the Gospel, caring for the needy, and serving others.<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul wrote:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHow then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Romans 10:14 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Every act of ministry, kindness, and obedience builds our heavenly treasure (Matthew 6:19\u201321).<\/p>\n

The story of the widow\u2019s offering powerfully illustrates this:<\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, \u2018Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.\u2019\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Mark 12:41\u201344 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This woman\u2019s sacrificial giving<\/strong> made her spiritually wealthy. God measures the heart, not the amount.<\/p>\n

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\u201cEach one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.\u201d<\/strong>
\u20142 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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True Greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When the disciples asked who was greatest, Jesus didn\u2019t point to wealth, position, or spiritual power. Instead, He pointed to humility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cTruly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Matthew 18:3\u20134 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In God\u2019s eyes, greatness is found in childlike faith<\/strong>, trust<\/strong>, and humility<\/strong>\u2014the very opposite of self-exaltation.<\/p>\n

Jesus Himself modeled this perfectly:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Philippians 2:8\u20139 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is the divine pattern: humility leads to exaltation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Greatness Through Servanthood<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus also taught that greatness in His Kingdom is measured by service, not status:<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Mark 10:43\u201345 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Greatness means serving others selflessly<\/strong>, just as Christ served.<\/p>\n

And in another surprising statement, Jesus said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cTruly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Matthew 11:11 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This reveals how kingdom values differ from worldly values<\/strong>. Even the \u201cleast\u201d in God\u2019s Kingdom, when filled with humility and faith, is considered greater than the greatest born of women.<\/p>\n

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The Eternal Kingdom and Rewards<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the age to come, Jesus will return and reign in power and majesty<\/strong>. Believers who have overcome and remained faithful will reign with Him.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Revelation 2:26\u201327 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This authority reflects Christ\u2019s own power and justice (see Psalm 2:8\u20139). He wears many crowns<\/strong> and rules in righteousness:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHis eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems\u2026 and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Revelation 19:12 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Those who were faithful in small things will be rewarded greatly:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHis master said to him, \u2018Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.\u2019\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Matthew 25:21 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And Paul writes:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHenceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day\u2014and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.\u201d<\/strong>
\u20142 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God’s Kingdom has levels of reward<\/strong> based on faithfulness:<\/p>\n

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\u201cNow if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw\u2014each one\u2019s work will become manifest\u2026 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.\u201d<\/strong>
\u20141 Corinthians 3:12\u201314 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Final Call to Seek Kingdom Greatness and Wealth<\/strong><\/h2>\n

God desires us to pursue not just entrance into His Kingdom, but greatness<\/strong> and spiritual riches<\/strong> within it\u2014through humility, obedience, and generosity.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThose whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014Revelation 3:19\u201321 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let us aim not for earthly status, but for eternal greatness<\/strong> through humble service and spiritual riches that never fade. In God’s Kingdom:<\/p>\n