Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
In what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught about the nature and character of a true believer, and here He turned to something the human heart leans toward – the treasures of here and now.
The list of earthly treasure is endless, extending beyond the obvious examples of possessions and money. Perhaps money isn’t a big deal to you, but status and the opinions and praise of others are. Or is it the good life you’ve worked so hard for? These too can be laid up. None of these are bad, in and of themselves, but Jesus said don’t let them take charge of your life. They will never fully satisfy, never be enough, and treasuring them has the ability to neuter your Christianity.
“But lay up… in heaven.” In the Jewish mind, heavenly treasure is connected to acts of kindness and personal character. As citizens of Heaven, we are called to show the reality of the kingdom of God by making a determined effort to deposit into the lives of others. We’re to use our gifts and material resources in ways that will never decay and cannot be stolen through fraud and thievery.
When God’s people live in light of eternity, they will no longer live as if this world is all that matters. And in light of the times in which we now find ourselves, Jesus’ words to the crowd seated on the hillside come to us with a renewed urgency. Deposits will be made daily. The question each of us must grapple with is, where?
“Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19
– Pastor Jack
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