Treasures in Heaven

22. July 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:   

Our text for today is:  Matthew 6: 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.  

This text flows out of the context of the three things that we have been discussing which were giving, praying, and fasting.   These are all ways to build spiritual treasures in heaven.  Jesus encourages his listeners to be focused on these spiritual devices to build a “storehouse” in heaven. 

The word treasury means “storehouse” or “place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up.”    Jesus teaches against acquiring the wealth of this world over against acquiring spiritual treasures.  

Let me be clear.  This in no way means that Christians should be poor, or settle with mediocrity or their status quo.   This expresses the dangers of seeking after the wealth of the world over against seeking the things of God and in particular working on being charitable to the needy, praying and fasting.    This text is about priorities.  

Sometimes when I’m talking to Christians and I express the power of prayer, fasting and being charitable (giving back), it’s almost as if they make me feel like I’m old fashioned and I should get with the times as if to say “nobody does that stuff anymore.”   My friends, the word works.  There is still power in prayer and fasting.  There is still deliverance in calling on the name of the Lord.  I have tried all that other stuff and have sought soley after the things of this world and I can honestly say that I find God to be faithful and fulfilling and just amazing.   What’s so amazing is that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other and as we get farther into this text, you’ll see what I’m talking about.  Old fashioned or not, it’s bible. 

Jesus teaches that wherever our treasures are then that is where our heart will be.  You can examine where your heart is.  All you have to do is be honest and ask yourself, Where do you spend most of your money, your time, your energy, your thoughts, your meditation, your resources.   The answer to these questions will tell you where your heart really is.  You can discover if your heart is tied into the things of this world or the things of the kingdom.    I’m not talking about surving in this world system, I’m talking about an unbalance of priorities.  Let’s examine our priorities.  I know many of us struggle with prayer so fasting is probably something that really seems foreign to us, but it is listed along with giving as a part of the spiritual treasures that we lay up in heaven.   

See you tomorrow.   

God Bless!!!! 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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