Treasure
We can't take our "stuff" with us... Have you ever seen a hearse towing a Venter Trailer? The pyramids were the graves of the Pharoahs and they are filled with treasures that were buried with the rulers that had died. All that remains of the rulers are their remains and the treasures were unused until they were plundered or discovered in recent times.We can't take our "stuff" with us... The writer of Ecclesiastes puts it like this:"For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune."
Jesus' take on "stuff" is that it decays and is vulnerable to theft. It will not go the distance of eternity and it will cost us a lot in maintenance and security if we try to hang on to it all.
It must be held loosely.
Real treasure goes to eternity and I believe this treasure takes three forms:
- Our character: Paul tells the Philippians that: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion on the day that Christ returns." This good work is our sanctification (becoming holy) which is best described as becoming more like Jesus. We're not earning credits or merit badges, we're not stacking up good deeds but we are to become more patient, more kind, more faithful, more self-controlled. When we're bearing fruit, we're growing in love and we're reflecting Jesus.
- Our gratitude and worship: In his beautiful hymn John Newton suggests: "When we've been there 10,000 years... we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun." One of the profound things we need to begin to learn while we're on earth is the attitude of gratitude -- a heart of worship.
- People: We can't take "stuff" with us, but by sharing God's amazing love with those around us, we can lead them to know Him and give their hearts to him.
| "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew6:19-21) |
