Merit in Christian preaching addresses the mistaken belief that human deeds can earn divine favor or entrance into heaven, emphasizing grace over works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Illustrations often contrast earthly actions and wealth with the spiritual reality that salvation is a gift, not a transaction (Titus 3:5).
Assuming earthly deeds can earn heaven is likened to making heaven debtor to mercy.
A Romanist epitaph in Cork contains the following: "Edward Molloy, the friend of humanity, the father of the poor. He employed the wealth of this world only to procure the riches of the next; and, leaving a balance of credit on the book of life, he made heaven debtor to mercy."
Heaven cannot be bought with earthly wealth, no matter how generous the giver.
Mr. Latrobe, visiting an Irish nobleman, was shown an elegant church which he had built, and was asked. "Do you not think that that will merit heaven?" Said Mr. Latrobe, "Pray, my lord, what may your estate be worth a year?"—"About thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds," was the answer. "And do you think God would sell heaven even for thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds?" said the minister.
Peter at the Pearly Gates story. (Unbiblical idea, but good for jokes)
A man comes to the gates of heaven and is met by St. Peter. "What do I have to do to get in?" Peter says, "It takes a thousand spiritual points to get into heaven. What have you done?"
The man begins to recite his accomplishments: "I went to church every Sunday, attended every prayer meeting and fellowship dinner, read my Bible each morning and shared the gospel with everyone I met. What is more, I tithed ten percent of all I made, sang in the choir, cooked Thanksgiving turkeys for the Senior Citizen's dinner and EVEN HELPED WITH THE JUNIOR HIGH BAPTIST YOUTH..."
For two hours he went on reciting an awesome list of all he had done for God. Peter looked at with love and said, "That's very impressive! It will add up to one spiritual point." The guy was flabbergasted! "You mean to tell me that everything I've done, the sweat I've poured, money I've given and time I've spent is only worth a SINGLE POINT?? "I've got one point and it takes ONE THOUSAND to get into heaven? LORD, HAVE MERCY!!"
Peter replied, "Oh, that will be worth the other 999. You can come on in."
R. C. Sproul wrote:
Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God's grace and God's grace alone for our salvation. It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace. Grace is for other people -- for beggars. We don't want to live by a heavenly welfare system. We want to earn our own way and atone for our own sins. We like to think that we will go to heaven because we deserve to be there.
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"Suffering and Merit?", Tabletalk Magazine, vol 13, no. 1.
R. C. Sproul wrote:
Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God's grace and God's grace alone for our salvation. It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace. Grace is for other people -- for beggars. We don't want to live by a heavenly welfare system. We want to earn our own way and atone for our own sins. We like to think that we will go to heaven because we deserve to be there.
________
"Suffering and Merit?", Tabletalk Magazine, vol 13, no. 1.
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