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Jesus (Treasures in Heaven)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Matthew 6:19-21

The above quote from Jesus is one of the most revolutionary statements ever made. The concept is thrilling for the spiritual person but anathema for the normal materialistic person. It cuts across the promotion ads of TV, magazines, etc.

The world today plays on the selfishness of the fallen human heart but Jesus lifts us to a higher plane. See the contrast:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
“but
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

Where are your treasures? Are your treasures in houses and buildings, in land or gold, in bank accounts or stocks, or in your job or looks or fame?
Or
Is your treasure in forgiveness, love, service, the poor, or the needy? Is your treasure in the mission field or church or in the face of the hurting you have helped? Is your treasure in being a friend, an up-lifter of the fallen, a friend of the lonely and hurting? Is your treasure in unselfish service to God and your fellowman? Is your treasure in the money you have given to others? Is your treasure in the Word of God you have studied and in the time you have spent in prayer? Is your treasure in the sacrifice of self-will to the will and call of Jesus?

There is a great contrast and struggle between the earthly and the heavenly. Some people make a clear choice and some try to hold on to both at the same time. This is impossible as you hear Jesus says:

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve God and mammon (riches). Matthew 6:24

So we have a choice, serve God or serve riches! Treasure on earth or in heaven!

Then Jesus makes this profound statement:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’
Where your value is or your treasure is there will be your heart. See the problem is not in wealth or the world but the heart. Our heart follows the treasure.

You can even use your earthly wealth for a heavenly treasure if your value is heavenly rather than earthly. Wow. See Jesus in the entire Sermon on the Mount is looking at the heart and intent rather than just the action. The same is true in this point Jesus is making. God sees the heart. He knows where your treasure is. We may fool others but we cannot fool God. This is beautiful because God knows the real you and your real desire. Others may not understand your motives or where you are building up treasure but God does. He will reward you in due time.

No one can steal your heavenly treasure! Your service to Jesus and others is in the heavenly vault and Satan and all of hell cannot break in and steal it. Only here on earth can you lose your treasure. So be careful to make the decisions on earth that will create heavenly wealth.

Last year my wife Denise and I adopted our baby Sophia. She is such a blessing. But the cost? I don’t look at her and think how much more money we could have had without her. We made a decision to put our money into a living beautiful little baby girl. She is a treasure on earth that is also a heavenly treasure.

Through the years I have had to make decisions about trying to have a retirement account or go to the nations with the cross. We did not have the money to do both. This year I will reach the age of 65 God willing but with only the normal government social security. My retirement fund is in the lives of the people all over the world. It is in the souls saved as we have gone on and on using all the resources people have given to go preach the gospel of Jesus and love them and help others.

Now I am not saying there is anything wrong with a retirement fund. I would have loved to have one. I am happy for those that do have a retirement fund. But along my way in life in doing the will of God for my life I had to make some important decisions and I made them for others. God knows my heart.

I am still open for God to provide for my family and I in anyway He wills. But when my pilgrimage on earth ends I pray that my real treasure is in heaven. Even now on earth my treasures are in people, my seven children and seven grandchildren and in my dear friends around the world. My treasure on earth now is in the peoples of the world that I have come to know and to be loved by.

Take inventory of your life and see where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Open my eyes Lord’!

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1