Investing our lives on earth toward things that matter after death has a cost now and reward later. We work by faith, not to be accepted, but because, in Christ, we are already completely accepted and desire to please Him.

The verses below show God's perspective on how we should live our lives well on earth until we die or Christ comes for us. You might notice that like Matthew 5 & 6, they all are related to how we live expectantly, by faith in God's word, for God and other people.

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself…” — Mark 12:30-31
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.” — John 20:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” — Galatians 2:20
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” — 2 Corinthians 5:15
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” — Mark 8:35
“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee… So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” — Luke 12:20-21
“…seek ye first the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Luke 12:28-31
“…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ… Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” — 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” — 1 Corinthians 9:24
“…Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.” — 1 Timothy 6:17-19
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love…” — Hebrews 6:10-12