LAYING UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN - PART 5

THURSDAY 01 DECEMBER 2022

Today, I'm summing up the whole teachings about this topic which is the wordings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every virtue, every blessing, every treasure, every wealth, and life itself. On that note, I believe that we have gained a heavenly-mindedness, the most important factor in all of Christ's teachings.

Reference: Matthew 6:19-21 King James Version (KJV) "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Being heavenly-minded reminds us that we are not of this world. Philippians 3:20 (NIV) says, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." You can now understand why Christ Jesus spent quality time on focusing our minds and hearts on heaven. Even the thought of heaven itself, demonstrates a complete and magnificent nature of our spiritual life in Christ.

The glorious gospel is the message about Christ. His words are not ordinary. For instance, He said in Luke 12:33-34 (AMP): "Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Notice that by showing others compassion and giving donations to the poor, one can sustain in the heavens, a money belt that cannot wear out; an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure. Moreover, you don't always have to give up all your possessions to do so. Sell your possessions, according to the Scripture Luke 12:33, can equally mean, "Give up your inseparable attachment to worldly treasures." Be free from the love of it; don't let them control your life and existence because one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (see Luke 12:15 ESV).

No wonder in Galatians 6:10 (ESV), apostle Paul exhorted us saying, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." We can do this as we allow God to work in us! Many a man stores up treasure for themselves, and are not rich toward God but God has called us to be faithful in applying His laid out principles regarding our treasures (see also Luke 12:16-21).

In conclusion, Luke 16:11 (NIV) reads, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" This means that God keeps records of our stewardship and He made it very clear in the Scriptures. Therefore we are expected to be good stewards in the Kingdom by managing the worldly riches and resources which God has richly provided for us, namely gifts, talents, time and all kinds of possession. Remember that His decrees are unchangeable or invariable and we are often rewarded accordingly, because nothing can alter divine principles. This implies that it is wise to be faithful and trustworthy by refusing to be careless in handling our God-given treasures. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Deuteronomy 8:18; Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 10:22; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35.

Guided Prayer: Thank you Father for teaching me about laying up treasures in heaven and understanding your purpose for my possessions on earth. You own the whole world and you hold my attention and influences. Therefore I submit to you in all my ways, thereby acknowledging that you are in control of all you've entrusted to my care as I manage them wisely, to your glory, in Jesus' Name, Amen!