A Secure Treasure

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break though nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), He turned His attention to the area that has probably been the greatest influence away from serving the true and living God, and that is money and the wealth of the world.  Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary that the desire for worldly wealth is a major symptom of hypocrisy because wealth can open the door to all kinds of sin.  No wonder Jesus made this a major focus of his sermon.  He warns us not to put our confidence in money or material possessions for these things have no power to provide eternal life for us nor to make us Christlike as we travel earth’s journey.

How many folks have let wealth, or the pursuit of wealth, become a stumbling block in their relationship with the Lord or prevented that relationship all together?  I am afraid that number is likely astronomical.  It’s not just being wealthy that is the problem.  There are folks who have an abundance of this world’s goods and use them for heavenly purposes, but it is the craving of wealth, or the coveting after, that causes men and women to be estranged from their Creator.  Jesus said that we can’t serve God and money (Matthew 6:24).  In Luke 12:16-21, He told a parable about a rich man who depended on his money to sustain him thinking that he was going to live a long life, but that same night he died.  All that he accumulated now belonged to someone else.  Those treasures did not take the place of a right relationship with God as God set forth prior to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

Treasures are only temporary.  The more “stuff” one has, the more stuff one has to worry about something happening to it.  An expensive woolen suit can be ruined by moths.  We can only store so much food.  Even canned good expire eventually.  Frozen foods get “freezer burn”, dry out, and have to be thrown out.  Insects get into grain products.  Crackers and bread get stale.  Milk spoils.  Fruit rots.  Even gold and silver tarnish, and they cannot be eaten.  James wrote in James 5:1-3 that the rich will “weep and howl” because of the misery they will endure from their dependence upon their treasures.  If the world ran out of food, all the money in the world couldn’t buy a single slice of bread.  Jesus asked what good would it do if a man gains the whole world and loses his own soul?  What is a soul worth? (Matthew 16:26).  Jesus’ sacrifice proved that the souls of men and women are more important than anything.

Americans are notorious for collecting stuff.  Homes, attics, garages and basements can get so full of junk that folks don’t know what they have.  When they can’t find what they are looking for, then they go buy another one which only adds to the clutter.  Christians who collect stuff are not necessarily depending on their possessions, but we should examine how we are spending our money.  Are we being wise with our resources?  There is a difference in being frugal and being cheap!  The least expensive item is not always the best buy.  We have to use common sense, and we have to ask ourselves before we make a purchase, “Do I really need this?”  It is OK to spend money on wants as long as the item that we desire does not become a god to us.  I believe that God blesses us financially to provide for our family’s needs, to give to the building up of His kingdom, and to bless others.  Any wealth that we may have comes from God, and He does want us to enjoy our lives, but any extra that He allows is to help us help others, and not just spend it on ourselves.  What we spend of our time, talents, and treasures in service and honor of the Lord accumulate in our heavenly bank account.

Don’t seek worldly treasure/That is, money, fortune, and fame/If you want to be rich and famous/Seek the treasure found in Jesus’ name.

If you put your trust in Him/You will never suffer need/Your heavenly bank account will grow/Your treasure will be secure indeed.