“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20
Greed is one of those pointless mindsets that places a mysterious value on everything we don’t have, everything we can’t control, and everything others possess. Greed is the ultimate carrot before the horse. No matter how hard it tries, it can never quite reach the point of fulfillment. It only creates more hunger. Greed breeds frustration because it can never be fulfilled. It thrives on the what ifs of this life that tell us. “What if I had this, or wouldn’t I be happy if I had that; what if I could experience that, or if I could control that, then wouldn’t I be happy!” Greed wants the whole world and everything in it. But, the one thing greed can’t do is be satisfied.
But have you realized that you can lay up treasures (that’s TREASURES) in heaven that you will have all eternity to enjoy? There is nothing in this limited, physical world that can fulfill us. We are eternal spirits and God has placed eternity in the heart of man. There is nothing in the natural, temporary world that can fulfill an eternal spirit! And we always have the promise of God that He will multiply 100 fold back to us in this life, what we give to Him. (Mk. 10:29-30)
This New Year let’s focus on eternity and leave this world’s goods for God to add to us in multiplied ways that will bring us joy and fulfillment instead of disappointment; those are the treasures that cannot be destroyed or lose their value. Let’s lay up for ourselves the eternal treasures that will greet us when we arrive there and bring us joy forever! Let’s focus on our mansions that are being prepared for us!
If we seek the world and the things of this world, we will end up EMPTY. If we “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things we need, desire and long for will be added to us. (Mt. 6:33).” If you desire joy to its fullest, a joy that remains, it comes from knowing that all you have came from God, and that He is faithful to supply all our needs yet to come. That is more fulfilling than all the treasures of the earth! Why settle for the treasures that can be ours one minute and gone the next.
Remember, God isn’t interested in taking things FROM us. He’s interested in getting things TO us! But it’s through faith in His Word that they become ours. Jesus said to the rich young ruler, whose heart was bound with his possessions, “…Follow Me, and you will have treasure in heaven. (Mk. 10:21)”
With Love,
Pastor Tom