Where is your treasure?

..For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"












It is not uncommon in our culture to hear the phrase “live life to the fullest” commonly repeated in advertising, philosophical discussions, and even at funerals. For example, a Minister at a funeral service may say that the person who has died, “lived their life to the fullest”. Actually this is not a philosophy of life that is new at all. Generations and cultures all through history have lived by the ideal behind “living life to the fullest”. Here are some responses that people give when asked what it means to “live life to the fullest”:

1) Be mindful of every moment of every day and live for the moment.
2) Love your life
3) Try to obtain all the things you have dreamed of.

I have to admit, I constantly have to examine my own life to discern why am I putting so much effort or finances into a project or experience. Am I doing it for myself and my gratification, or for someone else? Now before I go any further, I will say that it doesn’t appear to be misguided to attain what some might call “luxury items” or have experiences that are not directly related to self sacrifice; since these are relative terms anyway. For example, when I was extremely busy in seminary studies and church last year, a Christian friend of mine called me one day and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was watching a baseball game on TV. She said, “you know George, you need that”. I knew what she meant and appreciated it. Even in the Lord’s work, we need time to take a breath and relax at times in order to recharge our batteries, so to speak.

So, what is to be our focus in enjoying life, according to Jesus and the Apostles? Some of these are common sense to Christians, but sometimes we forget or ignore their inspired wisdom:

“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 6:19-21)

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15-16).

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2).

Some of the content in these scriptures really gets to the heart of the matter doesn’t it? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and are living a life to please Him, you want to follow His word and instructions for life. Our focus has got to remain on Christ and what pleases Him. Would He want us to live a life to simply fulfill our wants and wishes? Of course not. We are to live to please Him, even if that means giving up some things. In fact, we are ultimately destined to become like Him (Romans 8:29). As usual, the best advice is to always consider, “what would Jesus do?”.

Does that mean we sell everything and give it all to a church? Physically, it doesn’t seem like the best use of resources for all of us to do that. However, we are all called to give as God directs and of course make all our things, experiences, motives, and principles subject to His wisdom, correction, and scrutiny. Only by doing this can we wisely use what we have, which all came from Him, anyway. So, as we approach the Christmas season, it is a good time to examine our perspectives about our treasures in life. Where are our treasures? Is our heart set on earthly treasures (which are temporary) or on the eternal treasures? Remember, our ultimate treasure is Jesus Christ and our salvation in Him. Thanks be to God that no one or no thing can take that from the believer. Is He your treasure, today?

Have a blessed day!
George