d. People devoted to God's kingdom will receive what?
Answer: For people devoted to God's kingdom, no matter what they have had to remove as a spiritual problem that hinders them from total devotion to Jesus, God and the kingdom, God has promised that they will receive many times as much in this age. In the age to come, they will receive eternal life, (verses 29 and 30).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
The life of discipleship is textured with promise and persecution, blessing and suffering, fulfillment and sacrifice. God takes nothing from a Christian without making what he receives many times more valuable, overflowing the Christian with blessings in a new and glorious form:
1 Corinthians 2:9-10: "However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him'--but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit."
The believer's riches are God's incomparable grace--His kindness to us in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:6-7: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus."
The riches of God meet the believer's every need:
Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
The riches God gives the believers will not rust or fade away:
Matthew 6:19-21: [Jesus said,] "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
James 5:1-6 gives a warning to those who are rich in this life, but fail to use these blessings from God in the right way:
"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you."
