Treasures

When was the last time you saw a funeral procession with the hearse towing a trailer behind it; full of the decedent's personal belongings?  It just doesn’t happen.  All that we accumulate in our lifespan is left behind at the moment we draw our last breath of air.  We came into this world with nothing, and we will leave the same way—with nothing.  All of our treasures and money that we have worked so hard to obtain will be of naught. 

A question we should ask ourselves is this:  “Have I laid up treasures in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt them?” It would certainly be ashamed to come to the end of this short trek to eternity, called life, and find that we are weighed in the balance and found wanting.  Though we achieve fame, fortune, or possessions this world has to offer, at the end of life’s journey they mean nothing.

In the quest for power and a desire to succeed, humanity is prone to place more emphases on temporal things than that which is everlasting.  Giving a cup of cold water; visiting the sick and those in prison; taking care of the widowed; clothing those that are naked; and opening up a billfold of plenty to supply sustenance to an outstretched hand that is truly in need are the treasures we should be concerned with.  If we close up our bowels of compassion, how does the love of God dwell in us?

(Matthew 25:34-40), “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:’   vs.35 ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;’  vs.36 ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ ”   vs.37 “Then the righteous will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?’  vs.38 ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?’  vs.39 ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ” vs.40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ”

A word of caution:  The next time you feel the urge to give away from yourself, be careful not to blow a trumpet, or sound a pair of cymbals to draw attention to yourself that others may see the beauty of your giving.  People that do this to be seen of man might well have taken their charity and buried it somewhere, because this kind of giving is a stench in the nostrils of God.  They will not receive His recognition in heaven for deeds done in the flesh; their reward was already obtained through the accolades of man. 

It would be prudent to take a moment out of our busy schedule to reflect upon what we think is most important and where our treasures lie. 

(Matthew 6:21), “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

Here are a couple more questions to consider:  “Do I place my value in things, or drawing closer to God?”  “Do I allow things to captivate my time, imprison better judgment, and dictate notions of greed or self-indulgence?” 

As we evaluate our motives and look at what takes precedent in our life, we can make positive adjustments to prioritize what is most important with respect to eternity.  Doing this will prevent things from dictating negative influences on us.  We can walk in newness of life if we realize that God is our true source of blessings, and live for Him; laying up treasures in heaven. 

All good things come from God.  He lovingly puts us in charge of things when we show ourselves as responsible stewards.  God expects us to be in control of things; not the other way around.  We are to stand firm against any type of influence that might try to control our life; not allowing them to steal our peace, dignity, well-being, and compassion for others.  

These lyrics to a popular chorus say it all.  “Turn our eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Where are your treasures?

Written by,

Papa Boyd