Matthew 6:19-24
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
I recently read a poster that was posted on facebook, it read something like this, “Love people and use things, don’t love things and use people.” How appropriate for our message from Jesus today. As we go into this holiday season our eyes see many sparkling and beautiful things. We begin to dream about having those things and when we don’t get them we become a little disappointed and sometimes disgruntled. But, as we read this scripture today we are once again reminded that this life is not about what we can gain from it but what we can give to it.
I recently was speaking to a good friend of ours who told a story about a very rich relative that he had. This man, by the world’s standards, had everything, but, he did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaimed to be an atheist. His eyes were not fixed on God, he was blinded by the things of this world.
Our eyes, what are they looking at? Are they looking at the things of this world, what we possess or what we desire to possess? Or, are they inward and upward focused, looking at what has been promised to come and looking at our Savior who came as a babe. I am not saying that we can’t own many beautiful things in this world. I am not saying that we can’t drive a nice car and have a large beautiful home but where the problem comes is when we begin to want for things that God never intended on us possessing. Look at Proverbs 14:30 30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
When do we envy others? When do we become disgruntled because of the “want” factor? The answer: When we begin to wish we had those things that were never intended for us. Before we get to that point we need to stop and prioritize what is important in our lives. Why do we exist? Who are we here for? What should I want? And with that let’s look at Ecclesiastes 12:13 – 14:
“13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.”
There you have it, from Jesus words and from the words of Solomon. What is your treasure today? Do you have your eyes fixed upon the heavenly bound road or are they fixed on the worldly road? Are you trying to figure out your purpose in life? Is it to earn money and make a name for yourself or is it to fear God and keep His commandments? From the words of a man who had everything the world had to offer, Solomon states that our purpose is to “fear God and to keep His commandments” not to become shrewd businessmen and women. How are you measuring up today?
As we go into this Christmas season and we see all the dazzling things that this world has to offer, let’s remember that the gift that surpasses all gifts is the gift that God gave to us, John 3: 16 – 17 “16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” By coming to this earth, displaying how we should live, dying on the cross for our sins even though He was blameless, and most importantly that He rose again, He showed us that there is victory over death. He continues in John 3: 18 – 21 to tell us again what He had to say in our beginning scripture today, 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.[a] 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:%2018%20-%2021&version=NIV1984) There will be those who choose to ignore His calling, but those who fear exposure don’t realize that in the end they will be exposed. They miss out on the most blessed blessing because they live in the here and now.
He, the conqueror of death can bring life, joy, and happiness to your life today. He can take away the “want”, the emptiness in your life if you will just ask Him to. He is there waiting at the door of your heart. Nothing can compare to the light that He can bring into a darkened heart and soul. I trust you won’t be the unwise person but that you will live by the truth and will live in the light, not darkness. Trust Him today and seek Him with all your heart.
If you are a facebook friend who has read this blog. Post “like” if you have chosen a life of light through Jesus Christ our Lord. If you are not a facebook friend post a comment on this blog. It can be as simple as “Like”. I would love to hear from you.
If today, you made a decision to follow Christ and accept this amazing gift, I want to hear from you as well. It is so important to profess your faith in Him. It is also important to grow in your Christian faith and I want to help you find ways to do just that. Begin an amazing journey with Him today.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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