Treasures in Heaven

For as long as I remember, I pretty much always said the right things in church. I would answer the questions correctly, offer some insight, and even times think I was morally superior to others because the answer was so obvious to me and not to them. I would think, "They are the ones who don't get it. This is so simple! Why does anyone have trouble following this?" When I first started leading small groups, I thought similar things.

Then I started to grow up and face new challenges. I started dealing with more difficult decisions, different periods of life, and different situations. Pastor Mike said that when you get older, you deal with the same problems/issues at different levels. It's like a winding staircase. When I thought about this, I realized that I was doing well at the bottom of the staircase. I started to progress up as my faith matured. Now I am where I was before, but at a higher level. What do I do? It's the same issue, but at a higher level. How do I deal with this issue at this point of my life? This issue that has been on my mind a lot lately was an issue that I thought I didn't really have a problem with.

After listening to sermons, reading passages, and looking at my life, I realize that i do have a problem. The issue I am talking about is seeking after worldly treasure. In Romans it says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world..." (Romans 12:2) Jesus points out, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 19-21). Where is my heart at right now? Am I storing up treasures in heaven?

I have been dealing with this passage for about a year. It's mainly because of my attitude toward money. Jesus said that you cannot serve both God and Money. You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other (paraphrase from Matthew 6:24). I give to the church, and I am happy to say that my giving has gone up over the years. But is my main reason for wanting a higher paying job so I can give more to the church? How much of my motivation for getting that job is to satisfy my wants and desires? I know that the world tells you to get more money so you can get more stuff. An apartment is not good enough, you need a house. That car is not good enough, you need a newer model. You need to update all your electronics, or else you will be behind and look stupid. All these ideas are lurking in our minds of how to use our money. It's no wonder that one of the Woes Jesus mentioned was, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort" (Luke 6:24) Let's face it, compared to a lot of the world, we're rich. Do we really get comfort from all of this? Temporarily we may. But eternally? The treasures that we value on earth are not the treasures that are valued in heaven. We can't buy those.

The second part of Romans that I didn't quote says that we need to renew our minds. We need to ask ourselves what is of true value? If we think about it, it won't be anything monetary. What we value, what Christ values, is something that can't be bought with money. Now, does that make money evil? Only if we let the money rule us rather than we ruling our money. If this Economy has taught us anything, it is that we cannot trust in money. It may not always be there! We can take the advice on our money though and Trust in God. I think that is a great reminder. Whenever we pay for something, we should read that sign and understand that it is in God we trust which is why we can part from that money. After all, "Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:31-33).

I pray that we call can have an attitude of seeking Treasures in Heaven rather than Treasures on Earth. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Luke 12:34.