Jessica Albritton, NextGen Minister LHBC
Matthew 6:19-21
“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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When I was little I loved treasure boxes, anything that I could put something else in, and I loved it even more if it had a lock and key! I would collect all my little trinkets, lock them all away, and hide the key. I wanted to protect my most favorite things, those things that meant the most to me. It’s a natural instinct to protect what we value most.
In Matthew chapter 6 the bible addresses this instinct and gives some clear instruction in regards to earthly and heavenly treasure. Treasure is anything that we place all our affection and attention on. It could be money, material possessions, relationships, our reputation, or even status. Simply put, treasure is what you value above all other things.
Throughout the bible we see many stories of people storing up treasure both in heaven and on earth. One of the most tragic examples of storing up earthly treasure is in Acts 5. Here we see Ananias and Sapphira treasure the honor given to them by man over Gods’ approval of them. In the end they lost everything, including their lives.
When we lay up our treasures here on this earth we become like the rich young fool in Luke chapter 12. He looked at all his worldly possessions and said to himself, “you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God called this man a fool and demanded his life that very night. While the bible doesn’t condemn wealth it does warn us not to allow our wealth to drive us to a place of complacency and idolatry. Earthly treasure is only temporary and we cannot take any of it with us into eternity. We must all guard our hearts against the temptation of finding satisfaction in the things of this world and instead have ultimate satisfaction in the God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.
What is your treasure, that in which you value most? Is it some earthly possession or social status? Or is your treasure your salvation and the relationship with the Father that comes along with it? It’s been said that life is tragic for the person who has plenty to live on but nothing to live for. May we all live our lives to the fullest, treasuring Jesus above all else, for “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, you are the ultimate treasure! Your word tells us that the value of knowing you is so much greater than anything else in this world! Lord, help me to keep my focus on you and not in the fleeting things of this world. In Jesus name, amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.