Sermon on the Mount, Part 6: Store Your Treasure in heaven
For parts 1 through 5 of this series, see Sermon on the Mount, Part 1: The Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount, Part 2: Salt and Light, Sermon on the Mount Part 3: Dealing with Anger, Sermon on the Mount, Part 4: Love Your Enemies, and Sermon on the Mount, Part 5: Quit Being a Showoff! under the Bible Studies tab.
Jesus turns his attention to the things we value. Society today is caught up in materialism. The love of money and possessions is the primary focus of our culture. All too often, fancy cars, big houses, expensive handbags, the latest and greatest electronic gadgets, and endless pleasure have taken the place of holinrss, integrity, and honor. Jesus explained:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:19-24 (NIV)
What we hold most dear in this world is where our love will lie. It is where we will expend all our energy and focus all our effort. It is what will capture our dreams and imagination. And, if we are not careful, Christians can even become enslaved by the “love of stuff.” In his “Wiersbe Bible Commentary”, Dr. Wiersbe explains, “We can become shackled by the material things of life, but we ought to be liberated and controlled by the Spirit of God. If the heart loves material things and puts earthly gain above heavenly investments, then the result can only be a tragic loss.” Money and possessions can, indeed, by used to the glory of God; however, we need to be careful not to covet them for ourselves and become materialistic. While focusing on enriching ourselves materially, we are becoming impoverished spiritually. Storing treasures in Heaven means to use all that we have for the glory of God and for the up building of his kingdom. There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but we must keep it in perspective and know that only what we do for the glory of God is important. Dr. Wiersbe explained we should measure “life by the true riches of the kingdom and not by the false riches of this world.”
We must train our heart and mind to be singly focused on serving God. If we do this, our eyes will be cast heavenward, not trained on the materials things of this world. Dr. Wiersbe explained, “If our aim in life is to get material gain, it will mean darkness within. But if our outlook is to serve and glorify God, there will be light within.”
We cannot serve Christ and money at the same time. Either Jesus Christ is first in our life or the love of money and things is first. We have to make a choice. Choose to live for Christ. Choose not to be materialistic. Choose to store your treasures in Heaven. And most of all, choose Jesus today!
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God bless!