Matthew 6:19-21 Lay up not for yourselves treasures upon earth , where moth and rust doth corrupt up for, and where thieves break through and steal, " But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Jesus linked this to to our hearts desires right there in verse 21. How do we treasure the Lord above all? By giving our time, our talents and our money to His works, not this worlds. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23-24 there are eternal rewards for those that serve Christ. He says, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. He goes on in Colossians 3:25 to say: But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. The Bible, which is the inerrant word of God is telling us to serve Jesus, not man. That does not mean we are to have nothing on this earth but that we are to use what God gives us to help others with a joyful heart and not because we are expecting anything from it but the joy of giving and helping. Yes God commands it of us but if we do it with the wrong heart it is if we are not doing it at all. We should want to do it to help others and to glorify God. If we have faith and do as God expects He will provide our needs. We should use our gifts He has given us for His service. If we have a talent in singing we should sing for the Lord, not for our own glory but for God's, He gave us the talents and we should use them to glorify Him. If you teach, sing, play music or have a servants heart do it for God's glory and not your own.
Judas, one of the disciples of Christ who walked with Christ and was taught at His feet didn't comprehend what Jesus taught him. He sold Jesus out for the price of 30 pieces of silver. He valued money more than his friend and His life. Now we know this had to happen in order for Jesus to die for our sins and it was a very important part that Judas played in history but it still shows that when we store our treasures on earth we lose the kingdom.
Be assured that no act of kindness will go unnoticed by God. Feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, giving warmth to the cold and helping where ever needed in your church and your community are things we should do for God. Do this because they need help and not for your Glory, do not be self serving. Those that seek their own glory shall have their rewards here and now, they covet mens praises and they will not be storing up rewards in Heaven. Their treasure is clearly instant gratification and they do not care to wait upon the Lord. How much better will the gratification of being with Christ in the Kingdom of God be than the praises of men? It takes work and at times we will be persecuted for loving the Lord but do it with all of your heart for God not for human masters.
The rich young man is a perfect example of storing your treasures on earth. Matthew 19:16-30 And behold one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother and Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto Him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying he went away, sorrowful for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, with men this in impossible but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee, what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, verily I say into you that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my names sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first.
This young man had obeyed the commandments but would not give up his riches and follow Jesus. He did not wish to help the poor but to keep it all to himself, therefore he lost the Kingdom which he asked how to gain. He chose to store his treasures on earth. Don't worry about what you will eat , drink, where you will live if you are serving Christ by helping others God will provide your needs. Jesus says in Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
He tells you He will provide your needs, you must have faith, believe His words, do as He says and you will gain the rewards in Heaven where your treasures are stored.
Cheryl C McNeil
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