Treasures in Heaven - Matthew 6:19-24
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Reflection: Jesus has been describing hypocrisy and how to avoid it in the spiritual disciplines like giving, praying and fasting, and now he turns to a different kind of hypocrisy. This is the hypocrisy of the Christian who is really more concerned with treasures here on earth than in heaven. This is the person more concerned with accumulation of stuff in this world than an investment in things that are eternal, as illustrated by the phrase "treasures in heaven".
When I was right out of college I was going to large church right outside the Chicagoland area and the pastor challenged the congregation one Wednesday night, "What are you going to do with your life that will make a difference for all of eternity?" He was essentially asking the question, "What treasure are you going after?" And if I were honest I would have to say I was pursuing the wrong treasure at that time. That was a turning point in my life where. I repented (had a change of mind) and led by the Holy Spirit started investing my life in things that would have eternal significance. Wow what a difference. The life lived for self and what I could get here and now was so vain and empty. The life of purpose and power God had for me was so different. Challenging yet filled with hope, joy and a new freedom.
In fact at the end of the passage Jesus says it is impossible to live with one foot in the world and the other one serving God. You will grow to hate or love one or the other. You can't serve two masters. And the cool thing is that wherever God has you, you can serve him and be an ambassador to bring in His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Some people think you have to become a missionary or pastor to serve God. Not so. God needs people in every arena of life who are committed to fulfilling His purposes in this generation.
Who or what you are you serving? A good test is to think about what and where your treasure is? What do you think about most? Where does your time and money go? For that is where your heart is. No matter where you are it is never too late to do a u turn and start investing in the treasure that will be eternal.
Jesus thank you for the opportunity you give us to invest our treasure in your kingdom, where moth and rust don't destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal. We give you our hearts, the greatest treasure we own, for your purposes in this world. Amen.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Reflection: Jesus has been describing hypocrisy and how to avoid it in the spiritual disciplines like giving, praying and fasting, and now he turns to a different kind of hypocrisy. This is the hypocrisy of the Christian who is really more concerned with treasures here on earth than in heaven. This is the person more concerned with accumulation of stuff in this world than an investment in things that are eternal, as illustrated by the phrase "treasures in heaven".
When I was right out of college I was going to large church right outside the Chicagoland area and the pastor challenged the congregation one Wednesday night, "What are you going to do with your life that will make a difference for all of eternity?" He was essentially asking the question, "What treasure are you going after?" And if I were honest I would have to say I was pursuing the wrong treasure at that time. That was a turning point in my life where. I repented (had a change of mind) and led by the Holy Spirit started investing my life in things that would have eternal significance. Wow what a difference. The life lived for self and what I could get here and now was so vain and empty. The life of purpose and power God had for me was so different. Challenging yet filled with hope, joy and a new freedom.
In fact at the end of the passage Jesus says it is impossible to live with one foot in the world and the other one serving God. You will grow to hate or love one or the other. You can't serve two masters. And the cool thing is that wherever God has you, you can serve him and be an ambassador to bring in His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Some people think you have to become a missionary or pastor to serve God. Not so. God needs people in every arena of life who are committed to fulfilling His purposes in this generation.
Who or what you are you serving? A good test is to think about what and where your treasure is? What do you think about most? Where does your time and money go? For that is where your heart is. No matter where you are it is never too late to do a u turn and start investing in the treasure that will be eternal.
Jesus thank you for the opportunity you give us to invest our treasure in your kingdom, where moth and rust don't destroy and thieves cannot break in and steal. We give you our hearts, the greatest treasure we own, for your purposes in this world. Amen.
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