Where Are We Gathering Our Greatest Treasure?

Verse of the day: Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What is it that keeps us from giving to, and serving, God sacrificially and cheerfully? What keeps us from giving to others when God presents a need and opportunity for us to bless others? It all begins with where our heart is. What is our greatest desire? Is it gaining as much as we can here on earth or gathering as much as possible for eternity with the Lord? The sad fact of the matter is that over the years I have seen much less dedication, by many Christians, to the things of God. We have allowed the world, and our own selfish desires, to dictate for us what is most important in our lives. We have bought into the lie that the things that this world has to offer will make our lives more comfortable and happier. While we may find comfort in having nicer things, those very things do not guarantee happiness. A new house or car, new clothes or jewelry, a new or improve “whatever”, might make us happy for the moment, but as time goes on, we get bored and the thing that was supposed to make us happy is now burdensome as it wears down and needs repair or we come face to face with the reality that we are now enslaved to our jobs because we need to pay for those things that were supposed to bring us happiness. The end result is daily stress over having to pay for things we really cannot afford and did not need to begin with. Yet, many people, Christians included, will work day and night to have the things that will impress others, like the fancy car or the modern, remodeled house. The Word of God cannot be any clearer in reminding us that we cannot serve God and money (v. 24). God promised that He would meet our daily needs, and even Jesus taught His disciple to pray in that manner (v. 11). In verses 25-34 Jesus tells them that they are not to worry about their provision, as God will supply all their needs (Phil 4:19). There is a danger that exists when God blesses us with a good paying job and provides us with nice things (which God can do, if He so desires for our lives). Somewhere along the way, we forget that it is He that gives us our health and strength to go to work. We forget that the job we have and the money we make is a blessing from God. If we are good at what we do, we forget that it is God who has given us our talents and abilities. Too many of us start to believe that we are self-sufficient and can now manage on our own. We begin to work more hours to make more money to buy nicer, more expensive, things so that our neighbors, co-workers, and friends will be impressed. In all of that our duty and responsibility to serve God and gather with other believers to carry out our commission takes a backseat to our desire to have more of what the world offers. Soon thereafter we begin to teach our children that going to church is not as important as playing that sport that is now scheduled for Sunday mornings; because maybe they will be good enough to eventually earn scholarships (as if God could not provide a way) and even play in the pros, be famous, and make “big” money. We sell out for the temporary things of this world that can be stolen, lost, corrupted, or taken from us by injury, illness, or death, in the blink of an eye. Can we take any of the things we gather here on earth with us to Heaven? No, we cannot. The Apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy reminded him that we came into the world with nothing, and we will leave the same way (1 Tim 6:7). He also admonished him to be satisfied with being godly and with contentment, or being satisfied with having sufficient food and clothing (1 Tim 6:6, 8). The pursuit of riches and the love of money is a snare, will cause us to fall into temptation, and will lead to destruction (1 Tim 6:9-10). How many people, even famous ones, have committed suicide, even though they had fame and fortune? The bottom line is that we are here on earth, not to serve self or the idols of this world. We are not here to serve the world and gain as much of its corruptible riches as we can. We are here to serve God, lead the lost to Jesus, and to then teach them to serve God. We are to give Him our time, talents, abilities, and material resources so that the work of God can go forward, and so that He can use us to be a blessing in the lives of others. We are to put the things of the kingdom first, and trust that He will provide us with what we need to survive, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and for our lifetime here on earth (v. 33). God’s desire for our lives here on earth is that we serve Him faithfully so that He can give us what He has reserved for us when we go to be with Him (1 Pt 1:3-5). Let us not forfeit eternal rewards and treasures that will not perish for earthly treasures that are worthless in comparison, which the devils use to pull us away from our God and our faithful service to Him.

Our God gave us His greatest Treasure; His Son. He extends an invitation to you today to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).