Treasures: January 6, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 6, 2012

TREASURES

DEFINITION:

Wealth or riches stored or accumulated; anything greatly valued or highly prized; to put away for security or future use.

SCRIPTURE:

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust does corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Webster says that “treasures” are accumulated wealth or riches. Many people work hard today, almost every possible free moment, to get as much money as possible so that they can buy all the material things they want just so they will be happy.

In Matthew 6:19 Jesus tells us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” You may ask, “Why not?” Because Jesus went on to say that material things do not last as they are subject to destruction by moths, rust and can be stolen by thieves.

It is a known fact that if money becomes our treasure that the result will be that it will consume all of our time and energy. There is nothing evil about money itself. In fact money is a needed necessity to supply all of our daily needs. The problem is how one looks at money and whether getting it is a major goal in one’s life. The scripture says that it is the LOVE OF MONEY that is the root of all evil.

In Matthew 6:24 Jesus warns us that you cannot serve both God and money. When money and possessions become all consuming we will have no time for serving God. What Jesus wants is for us to accumulate or store up our treasures in heaven. Everything that we do in life that is in obedience to God and His Word is a treasure that we store in our account in heaven. Simply said, acts of obedience to God cannot be destroyed by moths, rust or stolen by thieves.

God has given us all certain talents so that we can build up our treasure in heaven. We are reminded of a crippled lady who could not leave her house. God gave this dear lady the talent of prayer. Every day she spent hours praying for people and missions. Just think of the treasure she laid up in heaven in her account. Yes, God gives us all talents. He gives some more than others but the important thing is what are we doing with the talents God has given us?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Mark 16:15.

And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

PRAYER:

Keep me from being tempted to let material things and the pleasures of this world become my treasures. Give me a burning desire to store up treasures in my account in heaven by doing all I can to further Your Kingdom here on earth.