Treasure: November 23, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2011.

TREASURE

DEFINITION:

An accumulation of money or jewels; anything prized highly; to regard or treat as precious; to cherish.

SCRIPTURE:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In this verse above from Matthew Jesus was teaching the disciples and the crowds that came to listen to Him about our heart and where the interest of our heart really is and should be. The heart is the central part or core of something. Our heart is the innermost core of our emotions. In this scripture above from Matthew, Jesus is in essence telling us to give ourselves a heart check-up. Things that are nearest and dearest to our heart are the things we treasure and most desire. There are earthly (material) treasures and there are heavenly (spiritual) treasures. We must examine our hearts to see what it is we treasure.

There is a problem with earthly treasures. Earthly treasures are subject to deterioration and can be stolen from us. Heavenly treasures cannot be taken away. They are eternal.

Someone once said, “What I hoard in this life, I lose; but what I give in this life, I keep.” We cannot take our earthly treasures with us when we die, but we can send them ahead by sharing and caring for others and supporting kingdom work.

If your riches are here on this earth, your heart will be bound to this world’s system. If your riches are in heaven, you will seek those things which are above and use the things of this world to the glory of God.

The Apostle Paul adds to these thoughts from Matthew when he writes to the church in Colossae, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2.

When we were children we were blessed with godly parents who not only taught us to build up our treasures in heaven and not on this earth, but also practiced what they preached. Earthly riches basically were never in our vocabulary. Our parents worked hard and God provided all we needed, and at the same time they invested their time, talents and treasures in heavenly things. We continued this practice with our children and God has blessed us abundantly with all we ever needed on this earth. It is our prayer that every day we invest our time and talent to build our treasures in Heaven.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

PRAYER:

Help our family today to make every moment a time when we are investing our treasure in heavenly projects. Help us to realize that where our heart is that that is where our treasure is. May Your Holy Spirit move mightily in our hearts so that we will honor and glorify Your name.