Accumulated Glory

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:11-14

Everything you do seeks to give glory to someone or something. 

A house gives glory to its owner, and a piece of art gives glory to its designer. The good work you do brings glory to yourself and to God who gives you the skills to work. Sloppy work brings shame upon yourself and maligns people's view of who you represent. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17). When you do good work because you are selfless, you bring glory to yourself and to God. When you start with selfishness and bringing glory to yourself, you become lazy and only do the minimum required to accomplish the task.

It doesn't matter how physically healthy you are when you die.

It doesn’t matter how clean a house was before a bomb was dropped on it. While creating excellence accumulates glory, all the accumulated glory returns to dust as the grass that withers in the summer sun. When all the glory you’ve accumulated returns to dust, you can remain insulated from the disaster if your focus is redirecting your glory to God. Since even you will fade away, you have to focus on accumulating glory for the only One who will last forever. When you accumulate glory for God, you fulfill your purpose and build glory that will last forever.

You are not good enough; surrender the best of you to gain Christ in you. 

The greatest glory you can accumulate here on earth is not comparable to the smallest glory you can receive in Christ. Surrendering glory in this life is not loss if you receive imperishable glory. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also, their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). All of the glory you accumulate here on earth will soon fade away. Do your best to accumulate glory, not so you can keep it for yourself, but so you can give it away in order to obtain an imperishable glory and share it with others.