When I die, how much interest will I receive for my deeds account?

When I die, how much interest will I receive for my deeds account?

That is a question needing a lot of discernment.  First we must examine the word interest and get a proper identification in its use of money or the sense of learning about someone or something.  

Then our attention should get a thorough examination of deeds as used in the bible.  Here, we will find a good sign of accomplishment and a bad side of the rejection of the truth.  

From Matthew where Jesus speaks about man denying himself, taking up his cross and following him.  “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”  “For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.”  (Mt 16: 24, 26 - 27).  One’s conduct refers to one’s deeds that are contrary to gaining works for interest.

Jeremiah, talking about Judah in exile and the refusal of the nation to adhere to God’s commands said; “They also shall be enslaved to great nations and mighty kings, and thus I will repay them according to their own deeds and according to their own handiwork.”  (Jer 25: 14).

St. Paul from Romans says:  “Hence, now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the law of sin and death.  For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”  (Rom 8: 1- 2, 13).  

Already answering the question regarding our deeds, the understanding must be secure in placing priorities on what these deeds have become.  As an institution that collects and itemizes our deposits, if the money we invest is of a legal deposit (money earned righteously) there will be interest paid.  However, if we have spent a lot of time depositing ill-gotten money, such as through selfishness towards God and others, the books will show a deficit in the eyes of God’s treasury.  

Reading from Isaiah we find a warning regarding sin and confession.  “That is why right is far from us and justice does not reach us.  We look for light, and lo, darkness;  for brightness, but we walk in gloom!”  “Right is repelled, and justice stands far off; For truth stumbles in the public square, uprightness cannot enter .  Honesty is lacking, and the man who turns from evil is despoiled.  The Lord saw this, and was aggrieved that right did not exist.  He saw that there was no one,and was appalled that there was none to intervene;  So his own arm brought about the victory, and his justice lent him its support.  He put on justice as his breastplate, salvation, as the helmet on his head; He clothed himself with garments of vengeance, wrapped himself in a mantle of zeal.  He repays his enemies their deserts, and requites his foes with wrath.”

(Is 59: 9, 14 18).  The wrath of God will be the final withdrawal of his enemies’ treasures and in the end the deeds of those who are stealing the graciousness of God will have no interest or any deeds to hang onto.  

Ralph B. Hathaway