MATTHEW 6:19-21 (19)Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20)But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21)For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.
It is good to have treasures. Treasures are by definition, according to Merriam-Webster, "wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up, or hoarded; wealth of any kind or in any form: riches; a store of money in reserve; something of great worth or value; a collection of precious things." There is nothing in the Bible that says you cannot have nice things or extra money. Treasures such as money or valuable items may be fun to have down here on earth, but Jesus tells us not to get caught up in all these things down here, because it is easy for someone to steal our things or eventually they may decay. So what should we do?
The Bible says that we should store up our treasures in heaven. There is no sin in heaven so nothing will corrode and there are no thieves that will break in and steal. It is a safe place to put things you treasure most. But what do we treasure most? Is it our money? Our home? Our car? Our profession? Our family? Our vacation destinations? There is nothing wrong with enjoying those things, but what is your most treasured possession? What do you love more than anything else? What could you not live without? For me, it is my salvation and relationship with Jesus. I love my family and it's nice to have money, go on trips, have reliable transportation, and a good job, but nothing is worth more to me than Jesus. He died for me. He died for you, too. He gave up everything for you and me. What can we esteem worth more than that great sacrifice? Luke says it best.
LUKE 12:15 And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
This statement was made by Jesus. He said to be careful and pay attention to coveting. It is easy to look at what someone has and desire it. It may seem more appealing in the hand of your friend or coworker. Maybe the idea that it's not our own can make something more desirable, but Jesus makes a profound statement here. He says a man's life is not valuable or detestable based on what he does or does not have. He tells them it is not about the stuff! It is not about how many things you can collect or purchase. The real meaning of a person's life is not about what they own. When we die, we do not get to take our china collection, cabinet of guns, or all the money in our safe. We take nothing with us. God used gold for pavement! He is not interested in our "wealth" on earth. He created it. He owns it all. It is not rare or precious to the One who spoke it into existence.
If we continue reading Luke's gospel, Jesus continues to share about the things we get so preoccupied with on earth: our clothes, our food... because our Heavenly Father knows our needs and He meets them. The world is concerned about what they will wear and what they will eat, but we should not worry about those things. We do not need to be so consumed with these things. Jesus says in verse 30, "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that have need of these things." Jesus said God knows what we need, so we do not have to try to keep up with the world. Our Heavenly Father will take care of all of those things for us. What should we treasure then? What is the most important thing?
Luke 12:31-34 (31)But rather seek ye the Kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (32)Fear not, little flock; for it your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. (33)Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. (34)For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I spoke with a friend in Alabama who told me of a young man that played the stock market. He had invested a lot of money and was doing very well. All at once, the stock market turned and the money he invested was gone. He was not "rich" anymore. He lost so much money that he was bankrupt. We all know that the stock market ebbs and flows. It goes up and it goes down and it bounces back up. The young man was so devastated that he took his own life. The stock market was his treasure and he thought he lost it for good. He lost his hope. He lost what he thought was his future, and I guess he was right. Friends, I am not against wealth or nice things in this life. I am not telling you that having a nice home or a new vehicle is a sin. I do not believe that at all. The Bible does not say that. It does tell us that we should not value these things more than our relationship with God.
As you study these passages on your own, I encourage you to take a notebook and write out some things you may be holding too tightly. What treasures are you holding on to that maybe are not as important as you once thought? What can you do? Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." How can you seek God's Kingdom? How do you seek His righteousness?
My family had a nice weekend recently with my sister-in-law and her husband and children. We were going to a dirt race track where my husband used to race. My son wanted to take his wallet but he did not have pockets in his shorts. He gave me his wallet stuffed with money he had been saving up. He knew that if he gave me his wallet and I put it in my purse it would be safe. I was going to keep it for him until he asked me for it. He put it in my care. That is the same thing we need to do. We must take our prized possessions: our money, our home, our car, our jobs, our family, and give them back to God. We must let Him keep them for us and then we know they are safe. There is no security here on earth. There is full security with God. He is able to keep whatever we put in His hands. 2 Timothy 1:12 says, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
Our true treasures should be the things that matter to God. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, generosity. These should be at the top of our list, too. Can you imagine a world where these things are the most valued? Whatever we choose to value most is where we will find our heart. If we treasure earthly things our hearts will be on the earth. Our focus will be on the world around us. Society and culture will drive our actions and inaction. If we treasure heavenly things, our hearts will be with God. Our focus will be on doing things that make God happy. We will choose to please God with our words, thoughts, and deeds. Where are your treasures? Where is your heart?
I pray that this week's study has given you some food for thought. As you read through these scriptures on your own, pray and ask God to show you areas of your life you have not fully submitted to Him. Ask Him to reveal to you where your treasures are and there will your heart be found also. I will be doing the same! I hope something I have shared has been strength for your journey and light for your way.
God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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