"Laying Up Treasure" (Pt. 2)

(Part 2)

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

                                                                                                Matthew 6:31-32

 This statement is powerful, because it separates the significance of needing things like food, drink, and clothing for survival, which God recognizes, from our pursuit of them for our own personal satisfaction.

As I mentioned last week, the obscene amount of food that we consume, throw away, and store along with the abundance of clothes that fill our closets testify that we pursue these things as much for pleasure, if not more, than we do necessity.

Jesus warns His followers not to pursue these things like the pagans, but rather seek first the Kingdom of God:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

                                                                                                Matthew 6:33-34

When we stop to put God first, He promises to make sure that our needs are met. Then with our eyes focused on Him, we begin to learn where our treasure should lie.  

Where laying up treasures on earth is about accumulation, laying up treasures in heaven is about giving:

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

                                                                                                Luke 12:32-34

These verses teach us that being rich towards God is to give towards the needs of others. It is taking what has been given to us by God and using it to meet the needs of those who are poor and hurting.

This is the lesson Jesus was attempting to teach to the rich young ruler in Mark 10:21:

“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,” he said. ‘G , sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Jesus was making him choose where he would store up his treasure. Would he keep it for himself and worship the god of Mammon or would he give it the poor and follow the Christ?

 

Pastor Scott Burr                                                                    

http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/