2015-10-23 - Treasure

Matt 6:20-21 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Time and Treasure have been on my mind lately. Let's think about the latter for now. How do we define treasure. If you look it up in the dictionary it will very likely speak about things of temporal value like money or gemstones. Jesus speaking here dismisses those things. This passage would be a good foundation for the old saying - "You can't take it with you."

Your checking account or 401K will not be deposited in the Bank of Heaven. The streets are paved with gold so pure it is transparent. The gates are made of enormous pearls. If one could bring a locker of gold it would not be worthy of being used to pave a side street. Jesus has promised to prepare a place for us to live. We don't have to bring a change of clothes. He will clothe us and feed us.

So how is treasure defined in Heaven?

When I think about Heaven it is often about who I will meet. Friends who have gone ahead, Peter who I see in myself at times, and Jesus of course. To spend time at His feet with Martha and Mary will be amazing. So people are important. That to me is the clue. Imagine walking down one of the streets in Heaven and meeting people that you helped or spoke with about your Savior. Maybe those moments influenced them to become a Christian - accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Imagine the reverse being true, meeting people who helped you come to an understanding of salvation. How grateful will you be?

This is treasure. God promised to make us fishers of men. (Matt 4:19, Mark 1:17) There is no way to put a price tag on these connections. They are also eternal. The fast-paced society we live in can bog us down blinding us to the eternal. Run the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Selah

Grace & Peace,
Mike

jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.peacewithgod.net

All verses are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.