Matthew 6:19-21 “Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will be where your treasure is.”
In the stories of Sherlock Holmes there's a story about how Sherlock was able to sneak into the home of Irene Adler and steal an incriminating picture of her and the king that posed a risk of scandal. How was he able to do this? Well, he told Watson to throw a smoke bomb through a window prompting the warning call of “fire”. Irene exposes the hidden place of the picture since she runs to the exact room where the picture is hidden. When Watson asked Sherlock how he knew that would work, Sherlock replies, “When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is to rush to the thing she values most.”
Be honest, if your house was on fire or you knew a tornado was going to hit it, what would you grab before running to safety?
Treasure defined is: something valuable that is kept or hidden in a safe place. Something very special or important. Something or someone greatly valued or loved.
Although the stories of Sherlock Holmes were made up, the writer had the right idea. People will inevitably reveal what they value most by their actions. Some people may value money more than anything and go to great lengths to secure it and gain more. For some it's, the bigger the better, idea that they value and put money into having it. For some, their success is most valued, and they put all their time and energy into achieving it. Then there are those whose treasure is family, which is revealed in the time they spend with them or the lengths they will go to, to protect them.
A person's heart is linked to what they value most and that is why Jesus said in
Matthew 7, “Where your treasure is, your heart will be also.”
Jesus explains that it's foolish to store up treasures on earth where moths and rust can destroy it- Matthew 6:19, He knew this world would be passing away and be destroyed- 1 Corinthians 7:31. Look how quickly magazine covers change with each new gossip story, or how fast stocks rise and crash. Power, prestige, wealth, public approval can be gone in a blink. Even Jesus dealt with a fickle crowd. One day they wanted to make Him a king and the next they drive Him out of their cities. Even the moment we take our last breath, our earthly treasures won't matter anymore. When our heart is set on earthly things then it will hinder us from loving God with all our heart, mind, and soul and serving Him the way He has called us to serve.
Let’s be clear. It is not a sin to be rich, Jesus is saying our possessions follow our investments. Wealthy people who consider their riches belonging to God will use what they have in ways that have eternal significance, protecting their own hearts from the love of money. Investing our treasure in material things keeps our hearts anchored to earthly values.
Do you know what Christ esteems as His precious treasure? “The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” -Ephesians 1:18. We are His treasure and as His followers He calls us His jewels- Zachariah 9:16, He even promises to make us more fine than gold- Isaiah 13:12.
“Paul writes, ‘What is our hope, our joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For we are His glory and joy’- 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. This is the treasure Christ bids us labor. Character is the great harvest of life. And every word or deed that through the grace of Christ shall kindle in one soul an impulse that reaches heavenward, every effort that tends to the formation of a Christlike character, is laying up treasures in heaven.” *3 Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, page 89.
Jesus is not saying you can't have money. We all need money to live and sometimes all that we bring in pays the bills and the necessities we need to live. Jesus is not saying you can't enjoy a few things in life or have nice things. Jesus is saying that our entire being should not be poured into things of this earth. We should not labor just to have more and more. If we are able, our focus should also be in helping spread the gospel, doing the Lord’s work, and sharing Jesus. Everyone needs to find a balance for themselves, but we all need to remember that all our blessings in extras come from God, and we should show our thanks in our words and actions. This has to be a heart decision between you and God and how God leads you. “True treasure is inside your heart- it's a soul that is at peace with God.” May Connealy.
It's important to study the Bible because God's Word guides you in the right direction in life. It lights the way ahead of you so you can see clearly which way to go. Through every season of your life, you can be confident that God is always leading you through His Word. The Bible is the only book inspired by God, filled with what He wants us to understand. To read it is to read a personal message to us, written by God Himself. To ignore it is to reject His primary method of communicating with us. God wants us to understand Who He is, who we are, how we can be reconciled with Him, and how we can live fruitful, joyful lives. To that end, He gave us the Scriptures. The more we study the Bible, the more we will gain. Let's continue our study through 1 Corinthians 14:20-40.
Study 22- 1 Corinthians 14:20-40- https://www.docdroid.net/UWCDwAL/1-corinthians-study-22-docx
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