Where is Your Treasure? - Ben Bailey
Where is Your Treasure?
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). With these words our Lord teaches us the folly of material wealth and the splendor of heavenly riches. There are many worldly temptations that the Devil throws before us each day: money, power, luxuries, etc,. Jesus clearly teaches us that none of these are more important than our eternal soul. Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Mk. 8:36-37). Nothing is more important than your soul! Notice several reasons why we must not put our focus on earthly treasures.
Worldly Treasures Decay. No matter how big a home you build, it will one day rot and decay into debris. No matter how much money you horde up, you will one day die and your money cannot go with you. In reality, all that exists or ever will exist will one day be destroyed by fire (See 2 Peter 3:9-12). Why would you want to put your focus on earthly things that will fade away and amount to nothing?
Wordly Treasures Darken. One of the major problems with a worldly focus is it blocks our view of what is really important. Howard Hughes is a modern example of this. Although he was a multi-millionaire, history reveals to us in his last days he was a sad recluse with no real self-worth. Jesus teaches us not to let anything get in our way of going to Heaven when he says, “Seek first the kingdom of God…” (Matt. 6:33). Are worldly treasures obstructing your view of what’s really important?
Wordly Treasures Divide. One thing is certain about worldly treasures and God; you can’t have the best of both. Worldly treasures definitely divide your allegiance. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). The reason a person cannot have the best of both worlds is because Jesus will take nothing less than 100% of your devotion (Mark 12:30ff). Are the treasures of this world dividing you from God?
Please understand that we are not saying having nicer things is wrong. That is not the point. Rather, our focus, passion, and desire cannot be first and foremost on worldly treasures. May God help each of us to focus on spiritual things first!