Matthew 6: 19 – 21 “Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treaures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break thorugh and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
We were horrified this morning to see photos on Facebook of a friend’s home in India. Last night while our friends were out, thieves broke in and ransacked the house, smashing locks and doors and tearing open everything they could, stealing anything they thought they could sell for money. Are our friends rich? Far from it! Our friends run orphanages, job training centers, and Bible schools in India and live very simply. They are supported totally by donations and have a very plain life style. It is likely that the thieves may have attacked the house because our friends are Christians. It is also possible that when someone from the U.S. visited our friends recently, the thieves were watching and thought that the visitors must have gifted our friends with large amounts of money. This morning our friends reacted by praising God that they were not at home when the robbers hit, stating that the things can be replaced but their lives are irreplaceable. A few years ago, friends in Accra were followed home by armed robbers, who then proceeded to take everything they could. Another friend’s family was attacked two weeks after he returned from a trip to the U.S. But when the robbers threatened to rape our friend’s daughter, she called on the Name of Jesus. The robbers became terrified and scooped up everything they could and left in a hurry.
In Jesus’ day, rich people had store houses and strong boxes and worried a great deal about being robbed. Nothing has changed. One Asian billionaire who claimed to be a Christian was interviewed and stated that he intended to do a great deal for the Kingdom of God….just as soon as he had a little more wealth! That man will never do anything because he will never be satisfied.
A few years ago, investors in the U.S. trusted their life savings to Bernie Madoff, an investment adviser who was advertising incredible profits. Unfortunately, the profits were truly incredible! Mr. Madoff was literally robbing Peter to pay Paul in a massive Ponzi scheme. When the whole thing collapsed, investors lost a total of between 18 – 65 BILLION DOLLARS! Many workers approaching retirement whose retirement funds were tied up in the Madoff fiasco found themselves scrambling for jobs with which to support themselves.
Years ago, one writer wrote a book entitled “Money Talks; It Says ‘Good – bye!” No truer words were ever spoken. And Jesus would agree! Jesus is saying that earthly treasures will disappear, but heavenly treaures will be there forever. How do we store up treasure in heaven? The law of the Kingdom of God is that the meaure you give out is the measure you will receive. If you help people, if you encourage people, if you demonstrate love in practical ways, you are storing up treasures in heaven. In Jesus’ day the Jews understood “treasures in heaven” to consist of deeds of mercy and deeds of kindness to people in distress.
Geroge Mueller, 1805 – 1898, was a German – born minister who ministered in Bristol, England. Relying totally on unsolicited donations, Mueller cared for 10,024 orphans duriong his lifetime, and provided educational opportunities for those orphans. He established 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000. Mueller himself lived quite simply and anonymously contributed to the work, generally attributing his donations to “a brother who wishes to store up treasures in heaven.”
Today, the question Jesus is asking is this: Where is your treasure? Are you so consumed with accumulating things or enjoying nice vacations or eating in fancy restaurants, that you have lost sight of heavenly goals? Answer carefully, for your decision will be an eternal one.
PRAYER: Father God, forgive us for being so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good! Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we might perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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