Eternal Treasure

Matthew 6:19-21 19Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.  20But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;  21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

This time and season seems particularly fitting for these verses. As I have been reading about the stock market falling and the economic troubles our country is facing, I have heard people that are afraid for their savings, their 401k plans, and their money market accounts. In the midst of natural unrest, we as believers can take comfort in knowing that our true treasure isn’t one that can be affected by the economy. In Mark chapter 10 we see the story of a man who comes to Jesus and asks how he can have eternal life. We will pick up the story in verses 19-22 19You know the commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.   20And he replied to Him, Teacher, I have carefully guarded and observed all these and taken care not to violate them from my boyhood. 21And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and He said to him, You lack one thing; go and sell all you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come [and] accompany Me [walking the same road that I walk]. 22At that saying the man’s countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was holding great possessions. Jesus essentially told him, get rid of all your stuff and take care of the poor, but don’t worry you will have great treasure in Heaven. The man didn’t want to give up his things and so went away from Jesus. Now look at verse 23-24 23And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, With what difficulty will those who possess wealth and keep on holding it enter the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust (place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

Jesus wasn’t saying it was wrong to have riches, He was saying it is wrong to place your confidence in those riches. Instead we should place our confidence in God. If we are following Him, and fulfilling His purpose for our lives then we will be storing up great treasure in our eternal destination. Treasure that no one can take, that nothing can remove, and that will be everlasting.