Thursday, August 19, 2010

Daily - 8/19/10

Matthew 6:19-21

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

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As Jesus says, where you're treasure is, there also your heart will be. One way to examine yourself, then, is to look at where your treasure is. What do you value? What is important to you? NOTE: this only works if you are willing to be HONEST with yourself. :)

Many (maybe "most") people, when asked these questions, will at least make an attempt to give an answer that looks good, and that they aren't materialistic, and that they aren't too attached to money or possessions or riches or fame or status or whatever.

The proof, though, is in the pudding. The answer to "what do you value" is what you spend your time, effort, and money on. Is that work? Is it trips to nice places? Is it professional status? Is it fame? Is it looking smart in bible study? Is it appearing to be humble?

All of those things are earthly treasures, including the last two.

Treasures in heaven are things that are of value to God, not us. So what are those things, and how do we store those up?

One of the best places to look for what God values is the Sermon On the Mount, and the best place to start is the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12), where Jesus describes treasures in heaven, and the rewards that go to those that pursue them. We know they are God's treasures because those who pursue them are blessed and rewarded by God.

Then read on through the whole Sermon (Matthew 5-7) and see Christ tell us in detail what treasures in heaven are. Play close attention to the finish at the end of Matthew 7, and that business about building houses upon rock and sand.