Treasures In Heaven

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.

(Matthew 6:19-21)

Meditation

The vast majority of people will work themselves to the brink of collapse to make more money. I know I used to do that. It was nothing for me to work a 60- or 70-hour week even before the weekend arrived. Yes, I made lots of money, but I’ll never get back the time I lost with my family. I wasn’t trying to buy their love, but I was trying to buy my way out of guilt for the time I was losing. I wanted them to have the things I didn’t have, but what they would have been better off with was me; my presence – not my presents. You might be doing the same things, but a fat pay check is no substitute for “tickle time” or “read me a book, Mommy” or “play catch with me, Daddy.” Those are the real treasures of this life, however, it’s not what Christ is talking about.

The treasures we store up here on earth are temporary at best but will surely be left behind when we pass from this life. This life is short, even if you live to be one hundred years old, it’s just a flash in the pan compared to eternity. Everything we buy with that money we’ve earned will rust, or rot, or be stolen eventually. There’s an old saying that “the guy with the most toys when he dies, wins.” Regardless of whether the guy wins or loses, he’s still dead and his toys are left here. If all his life has to show for it is a bunch of “toys”, he’s the loser.

What you concern yourself with in this life is what determines what will be stored up for you in heaven. A paycheck goes into the bank and doled out to pay the bills and pay for your wants and needs. Even if you manage to save lots of money for your old age, it will be spent one day, passed on to an heir, or confiscated by the government. However, none of it will pass with you into eternity. Your heavenly bank account is filled from our good deeds done here on earth. If your only concern, while you’re here, is for your own comfort and pleasure, there won’t be much in your heavenly bank account. Of course, there is no requirement for good deeds to earn your salvation. However, you show your love and gratitude to Christ by your good deeds. The rewards for your deeds last far longer than anything here.

Prayer Time

Lord God, you are the master of all the earth. We hold you in the highest reverence because you are holy. You have given us one hundred percent of all we have so, help us to be willing to give back to the work that needs to be done for your kingdom. Father, it’s our tendency to be trying to accumulate and horde our money and possessions. Help us to remember that our riches are temporary and can be gone in a heartbeat. A simple turn in the economy and all our stored-up wealth could be nearly worthless or, our accounts could be ravaged by a cunning thief. We know riches are fleeting so, Lord, help us to use whatever you give us in a way pleasing to you. Help us to keep you as our treasure. Give us a heart for the poor and down trodden. Make us zealous to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the unsaved lost. It’s in his name, we pray. Amen!