The true biblical doctrine of Heaven is far more attractive than the dull, inhuman view of the afterlife that has long prevailed in evangelicalism. That off-putting perspective still imprisons many believers. Based on countless interactions I’ve had with readers of my book and others over the past sixteen years, here are eight persistent misconceptions about Heaven.

Music is transcendent—a bridge between this world and another. That’s why people devote so much of themselves to it and gain such pleasure in it. We love the rich and varied rhythms and harmonies. In Heaven God will unleash our creativity, not confine it.

In this clip from a conversation with Rob West on Faith and Finance, Randy references 1 Timothy 6 to address the tension that exists between enjoying what God has gifted us with, and giving generously.

In this clip from a conversation with Rob West on Faith and Finance, Randy discusses how we are to be stewards of God’s possessions. Using the analogy of a FedEx worker, Randy explains that God has entrusted money to us, and our job is not to keep it, but to get it to where He wants it to go.

In this clip from a conversation with Rob West on Faith and Finance, Randy says that if we store up our treasures in heaven, we are always moving towards them we get closer to the day we die. Giving is what shifts our treasures and our hearts toward heaven.

In this clip from a conversation with Rob West on Faith and Finance, Randy explains the importance of looking forward to a new Heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. Living with a right view of eternity makes us eager to store up our treasures there.

In this clip from a conversation with Rob West on Faith and Finance, Randy talks about how we don’t need to live extravagantly. We live in a world of need, and if we spend less and live generously, we can help other people live.

Living simply isn’t about deprivation; it’s about freedom, and that freedom can lead to extraordinary generosity. Rather than cling to our possessions, God calls us to have an everlasting mindset and use what we have for His Kingdom. On this episode of Faith and Finance, Randy Alcorn joins Rob West to discuss how we can loosen our grip on earthly things to open our hands to eternal impact.

What thrilled these expectant believers in Hebrews 11 was not that God would rule in Heaven—He already did. They dreamed of the time that He would rule here on Earth, removing sin, death, suffering, poverty, and heartache. They trusted that the Messiah would come and bring Heaven with Him.