In that moment, when Jesus was on earth, the Israelites were really fixated on having their covenants fulfilled, so Jesus spoke to them a lot about the hope of the Millennium. Right after the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus continued right into this parable, so when He says "it is", Jesus is referring to the Kingdom of Heaven...
(Matthew 25:14-30) “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth..."
One could use the above parable to apply it to us today, although right after Jesus told that parable, He launched into the parable describing the judgment of nations - the separating the sheep from the goat. The people who become believers during the Tribulation will be the ones entering the Millennium with Jesus sitting on the throne and reigning for a thousand years. This age will not be perfect. People will still struggle with sin, but Jesus will be there to offer guidance and issue immediate consequences if needed.
Heaven will be perfect! This applies to all believers at the point of one's earthly death (or - passing). Jesus spoke about heaven a few times. Further on in the New Testament we will see even more descriptions of heaven and the rapture, but here Jesus mentioned dwelling places, and the rapture. Do not confuse this with His second coming where He will physically come down to earth and remain on earth for a thousand years. The rapture will be a meeting in the air. Here, Jesus used the phrase "receive you to Myself" - in order to bring us to these dwelling places that He had just mentioned. If we are believers in Jesus, we have no need to be "troubled"...
(John 14:1-7) “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
We hear the saying, "You can't take it with you!" Therefore, store up your treasures in heaven! We will be rewarded for the good works that we do with the right motives. But more than that, we will be with God for all eternity in a place of perfection!...
(Matthew 6:19-21) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also..."
Jesus also gave a bit of a description of what believers will look like in heaven, and what relationships with each other will be like. This discussion came about because the Sadducees were trying to outwit Jesus...
(Matthew 22:23-33) On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24 asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; 26 so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”
29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” 33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
Today's takeaway: our time here on earth is relatively short, compared to ETERNITY! But back when I was single, I remember having discussions with my peers about dying before we had a chance to get married and experience sex. lol. Now, in keeping everything in context, even the parables about the whole wedding feast theme - I believe that heaven will be an eternal "climax" - if you will. I'm not trying to shock anyone or make anyone feel uncomfortable. What I mean is - the joy that we will experience just being in the presence of our Lord and Savior - will be better than any earthly experience we could ever have.
The whole "keeping up with the Jones" thing is vanity! Whatever "dwelling place" we will have in heaven - will far surpass anything we could ever have down here. Having the perfect body right now - well... it'll never be perfect and I do believe we need to do the best that we can with our health and fitness without being obsessed - but whatever that is here on earth will be nothing like the body of perfection that we will receive in heaven!
For me, "storing up my treasures in heaven" really means - keeping my focus on God! Putting things in perspective! And considering the bigger picture...
(Colossians 3:1-17) Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
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