Why should we sharpen our abilities and character now when we’ll have eternity to do so?

Question from a reader:

Why should we sharpen our gifts, skills, abilities and character now while on Earth, partially in preparation for Heaven (where those gifts will be used for Christ), when we'll have eternity to do so?

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

Part of the issue is why should we be working on something now? Because this life is a limited opportunity to make choices to follow Christ in a world that is opposed to Him. The idea of why not wait until eternity, since we’ll have all eternity to learn things, is answered because God says not ...