Is Your Treasure Temporal or Eternal?
Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 619-21
Why do we tend to store up “treasure,” or in today’s vernacular, “put something away for the future”? Do you think it might be that we are just a little unsure of the future and we want to be prepared for whatever comes along? Or we might be looking forward to the time when we can retire and then live on what we have accumulated.
It is good to save for unexpected expenses and it is good planning to be prepared. The point that Jesus was making is not that things are evil, or that we should take a vow of poverty and have nothing, but the message is to not let things become the treasure of your heart.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Another way of saying it is, “Where your heart is will be evidenced by where you invest your resources.” I know people who cannot afford to pay tithe or give to benevolent causes because by the time they make two car payments, a boat payment, and storage for the boat and RV, they are just barely making it.
Oh yes, I forgot the house that is in the right neighborhood, and the stylish clothes the kids demand. Also there is the “guilt payment” to the children. You know what I’m talking about; dad has the boat so out of guilt he has to get the kids the latest electronic games, and maybe even a dirt bike.
God doesn’t care what things you have, but he is very concerned about what things have your heart. He wants us to have treasure, but the treasure he has for us is the treasures in the kingdom of God. The first treasure he offers is eternal life. He then offers righteousness, joy and peace (Romans 14:17). The Lord actually delivers the treasure that the world of things promises, but falls short of producing.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace of surrendering my heart to your will sothat my treasure will be in the eternal kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: God doesn’t care what things you have, but he is very concerned about what things have your heart. He wants us to have treasure, but the treasure he has for us is the treasures in the kingdom of God.
Affirmation: I am careful to be certain the things I have do not have me. Rather, my hope is in the kingdom of God and his righteousness rather than in the earthly things I can accumulate.
Reflection: Do you think God is concerned about the extra things we have like boats and video games? What was the point he was trying to make when he said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth?"
Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 619-21
Why do we tend to store up “treasure,” or in today’s vernacular, “put something away for the future”? Do you think it might be that we are just a little unsure of the future and we want to be prepared for whatever comes along? Or we might be looking forward to the time when we can retire and then live on what we have accumulated.
It is good to save for unexpected expenses and it is good planning to be prepared. The point that Jesus was making is not that things are evil, or that we should take a vow of poverty and have nothing, but the message is to not let things become the treasure of your heart.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Another way of saying it is, “Where your heart is will be evidenced by where you invest your resources.” I know people who cannot afford to pay tithe or give to benevolent causes because by the time they make two car payments, a boat payment, and storage for the boat and RV, they are just barely making it.
Oh yes, I forgot the house that is in the right neighborhood, and the stylish clothes the kids demand. Also there is the “guilt payment” to the children. You know what I’m talking about; dad has the boat so out of guilt he has to get the kids the latest electronic games, and maybe even a dirt bike.
God doesn’t care what things you have, but he is very concerned about what things have your heart. He wants us to have treasure, but the treasure he has for us is the treasures in the kingdom of God. The first treasure he offers is eternal life. He then offers righteousness, joy and peace (Romans 14:17). The Lord actually delivers the treasure that the world of things promises, but falls short of producing.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace of surrendering my heart to your will sothat my treasure will be in the eternal kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: God doesn’t care what things you have, but he is very concerned about what things have your heart. He wants us to have treasure, but the treasure he has for us is the treasures in the kingdom of God.
Affirmation: I am careful to be certain the things I have do not have me. Rather, my hope is in the kingdom of God and his righteousness rather than in the earthly things I can accumulate.
Reflection: Do you think God is concerned about the extra things we have like boats and video games? What was the point he was trying to make when he said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth?"
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