Foundation

Treasures on earth

An Ethiopian farmer hid more than $12,000 in a haystack—which unfortunately was home to some hungry rodents. Just three weeks after he stashed the cash, he discovered that rats had chewed through almost one-third of his savings!

When I read about this farmer’s misfortune, I couldn’t help thinking back to Jesus’ words: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth” (Matthew 6:19). Why not? Because moths (or rats) might nibble them down to nothing. Because our wealth could become burglar bait. Basically, because anything we store up on earth is temporary.

Maybe that’s why we’re supposed to “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2). An eternal view helps to keep us from becoming consumed by whatever we can glom onto in this life.

So, how do we keep from letting our bank accounts get the best of us? Jesus urged us to store up treasures in heaven where decay and loss are non-events. But how?

We’re supposed to “be rich in good works and generous to those in need . . . . By doing this [we] will be storing up treasure as a good foundation for the future” (1 Timothy 6:18-19). It’s the tangible acts of kindness and love that provide true wealth.

If that’s not enough to satisfy our longing for everlasting affluence, we also need to invest in “a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21). The closer our connection with Him, the less we’ll care about the here-today-gone-tomorrow goodies of this world.

Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21). To keep our hearts in the right place, we’ve got to stockpile treasure in heaven rather than being consumed with whatever we’ve got stored in the haystack!

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:7

15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12-15

Proverbs 23:4 (NLT)

4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.Be wise enough to know when to quit.

Matthew 6:19-21
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be (v.21).


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