February 24 - Treasures in Heaven, Not on Earth

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon 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 or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" - Matthew 6:19-21

In the context "laying up" and "treasures" convey the idea of hoarding wealth and not using it. Jesus warns His audience that treasures amassed on earth are perishable and subject to loss through moth, rust and thieves. Would we and should we then invest our lives in the pursuit of possessions for their own sake? Might it not be wiser to use the "riches" God has provided for us simply as a means to invest in eternal things?

The Bible doesn't teach that wealth and material possessions are inherently evil. It does teach however that being "[…] greedy, covetous, stingy, and miserly about possessions is wrong." (MacArthur)

What are the "treasures in heaven" Jesus encourages us to "lay up" for ourselves? MacArthur suggests that "possessions that are wisely, lovingly, willingly, and generously used for kingdom purposes can be a means of accumulating heavenly possessions."

I like to think that those treasures in heaven will be the people won for Christ and ministered unto. After all, the soul of man is the only eternal thing we can take with us. Why not keep people as the focus of our efforts and ministry?

As we embark on this venture of building a new sanctuary, let us pray that God will help us focus with our hearts and minds on one purpose only: to lay up treasures in heaven.

So what should truly matter? The color of the carpet? The comfort and size of the pews? The size of the sanctuary? The sound system? The lighting? The windows? Only inasmuch as it directly impacts the kingdom of God here on earth.

As we generously give and plan for a new place of worship, let us ask ourselves: How does it further God's eternal plan? How does it glorify Him and reflect Him to our community and ultimately to the world? How is it a testimony of His grace? How can it be a place of ministry where people can come to know the Lord, be nurtured in the faith and in turn serve Him? How will it be a place where the saints will be encouraged and strengthened in their faith that they might be better servants of God?

Lastly, let us note that when Jesus says "where your treasure is, your heart will be also," He is not saying that "if we put our treasure in the right place, our heart will then be in the right place, but that the location of our treasure indicates where our heart already is." (MacArthur)

Where is our heart? Let us ask God to create in us a clean heart as David did. Let us ask God to remind us that "material possessions" have no spiritual value in themselves. "But if we invest them in the welfare of human souls, the people who are saved or otherwise blessed because of them will some day greet us in heaven with thanksgiving." (MacArthur)

- Silvana Cureton