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Matthew 6:19-34 – So, what is a treasure? A dictionary would say it is wealth, money, jewels, stored up. Something of great worth and value. For this message we’ll say, a treasure is “that which is valued most, desired most, is most dear to us.”
Earthly treasure is temporary. It will perish. There are many people who can tell stories about great material losses, some of them very suddenly.
In contrast, heavenly treasure is very secure! No moths, no rust, no fading, it is reserved in heaven for you.
All of us, along with every other person on the earth, are laying up treasure somewhere. We all work towards various goals. What are we trying to get?
How tragic would it be for someone to reach their goals and but found at the end that it was all for nothing. What a tragic ending that would be.
Matthew 16:24-26 – Would a man sell his eternal soul for all the money in the world? Many would… and sadly enough many do for much less.
Things will not give us happiness, or lengthen our life, or give us eternal life. This is the crux of what Jesus is saying, your treasures should be in heaven, a much better place to store your life investments.
Another reason that the place you are putting your treasure is important is that your heart follows your treasure. Our hearts often go to it, we set our goals, we make our choices, according to where we are putting our treasure.
Luke 12:33 – The only true treasure is Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven, the joy of salvation, our sins forgiven, and an obedient life of service to God.
There are many issues here that we need to grapple with. A “treasure test” might help us to know where we are. Here are some things that are true of those who’s treasure in heaven.
- Their material things are used for things of the Kingdom
- Their material things are God’s and they are responsible to Him for how things are used
- Earthly things held loosely
- If a financial calamity occurs can we say, blessed be the name of the Lord!
Jesus was concerned about wrong attitudes and wrong trust and dependence on material things.
No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money. How is your focus? Are you focused on Christ and the Kingdom of God? Or are you focused on the size of your bank account?
If we have invested our lives and devotions to heavenly treasures. We could wonder, will I be able to feed myself and my children? God says here, “don’t worry, I know about all the things that you need.”
If God takes care of the birds and the flowers… can He not take care of you too? The ungodly wish and long and worry about things that are more than what they need.
Scriptures used – Matthew 6:19-34, Matthew 16:24-26, 1 John 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:17, Proverbs 6:6-8