Read and meditate on Matthew 6:19-21 today…
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
These verses are certainly appropriate for today. Lots of “treasures on earth” have dwindled or been badly shaken in our present economy. The uncertainty of the times exposes the treasures of our heart.
What do I value? What are my treasures in this life? I have grown up in a very comfortable country…probably one of the richest that has ever graced the planet. It is a blessing in many ways but a great danger as well. It is hard not to hold on tightly to the things that I possess. I enjoy my home, my vehicles, my computer, my electronic gadgets, my clothes, my stores of food…wow, I have so much.
We probably don’t realize how much we have until we make a move. Boxes and boxes of “things” accumulate. We have to rent large trucks to move our stuff around…sometimes even rent a storage unit to hold our extra stuff. Our closets are full. Our shelves are crowded. Our sheds are cluttered.
What if it was all gone in an instant? What if I lost 50% of it…25% of it…or even 10% of it? I would like to think that I could handle it but I would probably be somewhat depressed…upset…discouraged. Where is my heart? If I am honest, I would probably have to admit that it is very attached to things on this earth. My fear and worry over losing these things betrays me.
Jesus says that when you store up treasures on earth, you are always threatened. Things deteriorate. They break. They fall apart. And they have to be protected. We put locks on our doors…alarm systems in our car…insurance on our possessions…safeguards on our investments. Nothing wrong with these things in and of themselves. But they do tend to occupy more and more of our time, our emotions, our energy, and our hearts.
Instead of working so hard to get things on earth…and keep them safe…Jesus says invest your time and energy to gain “treasures in heaven.” Grow in faith. Serve others. Be generous. Build relationships. Share God’s love. If you value these things, the rest will fall into place. God is not talking about living in poverty but rather living in peace…enjoying God’s blessings but holding them loosely…utilizing physical resources for spiritual purposes not just for self-gratification.
Lord, my heart is so attached to things. Help me to enjoy Your blessings without clinging to them. Give me peace in the midst of uncertain times. May I trust You regardless of what the stock market does. May I put my future in Your hands and not in the security of my job or my bank account. May I be a good steward–planning well and spending wisely–and a generous giver–using my blessings to bless others.