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.
The verses above come immediately after Jesus' talk about the hypocritical ways of the Pharisees. He talked about their love of being seen doing good deeds, of praying in public and of their need to let everyone know they were fasting. When we take Matthew 6:1-34 in context, it is easy to see that Jesus' message to us is to place our trust in God alone. He is our treasure. Our relationship with Him should have more value to us than any other relationship we have. The Pharisees placed their importance on what the people saw them doing - good deeds, praying in public and fasting. They wanted the people to see how great they were. Their treasure was to receive admiration and praise from others. Their reputations were more important to them, than their relationship with God. So the verse above isn't just above money. It's about what we value most in this life - our jobs, our reputations, our appearance, our "things", our family or friends.
So how do we "lay up" treasures in heaven? What should those treasures look like? They should include time in the Word of God daily, because time spent reading God's Word is well-invested. Through His Word we get to know Him and our relationship grows and deepens. We learn how to abide in Him and in turn, through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, He abides in us and that is where our treasure should be. If you have no time for Scripture, you have no time for God.
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In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV |
Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name
Your Kingdom Come
Your Will be Done on Earth, as it is in Heaven
Give us this Day our Daily Bread
And Forgive us our Debts, as we Forgive our Debtors
And do not Lead us into Temptation,
But Deliver us from Evil
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12, NKJV)
For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power
and the Glory Forever. Amen.
Let's encourage one another. Don't forget to visit those who post.
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