Store your treasure in heaven, not on earth

Store your treasure in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-34): Not only are we to ask God for our daily provision, but we also are warned against stockpiling material wealth and other treasures on earth:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and

Store your treasure in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-34)

Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project

Not only are we to ask God for our daily provision, but we also are warned against stockpiling material wealth and other treasures on earth:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21)

“Treasures in heaven” is not a vaporous reference to kindly thoughts in God’s heart or some such platitude. God’s kingdom will ultimately rule on earth. “Treasures in heaven” are things of worth in God’s coming kingdom, such as justice, opportunity for everyone to be productive, provision for everyone’s needs, and respect for the dignity of every person. The implication is that we would do better to invest our money in activities that transform the world, than in securities that protect our accumulated surplus.

Is it wrong, then, to have a retirement portfolio or even to care about the material things of this world for ourselves or for others? The answer is again both no and yes. The no comes from the fact that this passage is not the only one in the Bible speaking to questions of wealth and provision for those who are dependent on us. Other passages counsel prudence and forethought, such as, “Those who gather little by little will increase [wealth]” (Proverbs 13:11b), and, “The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). God guides Joseph to store up food for seven years in advance of a famine (Genesis 41:25-36), and Jesus speaks favorably in the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30, which will be discussed later) of investing money. In light of the rest of Scripture, Matthew 6:19-34 cannot be a blanket prohibition.

But the yes part of the answer is a warning, summed up beautifully in verse 21, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We might expect this sentence to run the other way, “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” But Jesus’ actual words are more profound. Money changes the heart more than the heart decides how to handle money. Jesus’ point is not “You tend to put your money into things that matter to you,” but, “the possessions you own will change you so that you care more about them than about other things.” Choose carefully what you own, for you will inevitably begin to value and protect it, to the potential detriment of everything else.

We may call this the “Treasure Principle,” namely, that treasure transforms. Those who invest their deepest treasure in the things of this world will find they are no longer serving God but money (Matt. 6:24). That can lead to anxiety coming from the uncertainties of money (Matt. 6:25-34). Will it be eroded by inflation? Will the stock market crash? Will the bonds default? Will the bank fail? Can I be sure that what I’ve saved will be enough to handle anything that could possibly happen?

The antidote is to invest in ways that meet people’s genuine needs. A company that provides clean water or well-made clothes may be investing in the kingdom of God, whereas an investment that depends on politically motivated subsidies, overheated housing markets, or material shortages may not. This passage in Matthew 6 is not a rule for portfolio management, but it does tell us that our commitment to the ways and means of God’s kingdom extends to how we manage such wealth as we have.

The question, then, is what kind of attention you should pay to material needs and the accumulation of resources. If you pay anxious attention, you are foolish. If you let them displace your trust in God, you are becoming unfaithful. If you pay excessive attention to them, you will become greedy. If you acquire them at the expense of other people, you are becoming the kind of oppressor against whom God’s kingdom is pitched.

How are we to discern the line between appropriate and inappropriate attention to wealth? Jesus answers, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you” (Matt. 6:33). First things first. Despite our large capacity for self-deception, this question can help us observe carefully where our treasure has put us. That will tell us something about our hearts.

a move of the Holy Spirit

	A Move of the Spirit

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 NKJV To many in the world, the Christmas season is dominated by angels and shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and the manger scene with the baby Jesus. There are carols and festivities, shopping, gift-giving, and images of Santa Claus. But in many ways, the story about the birth of Jesus is dominated by the Holy Spirit. In fact, the entire story is a celebration of the Spirit, and a demonstration of how the Spirit acts in the world. How He orchestrated events, and moved upon men and women to accomplish the Father’s purposes. The Bible tells us that Jesus’ birth was an act of the Spirit. An angel told Mary that “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). We see how both the mother and father of John the Baptist became “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41, 67). We see how the Simeon, a “just and devout” man, witnessed Jesus’ dedication, and how “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25). And we see the continuing work of the Spirit throughout Jesus’ ministry. As we think about the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that the Spirit still is active in the world. The Bible promises that He was sent to guide us. Teach us. Empower us. Today, don’t let the superficial things of the world keep you from realizing the spiritual depth and dimension. That God has given you the opportunity to be filled with His Spirit. To have the power of the Spirit. To experience the full fruit of the Spirit, and operate with the gifts of the Spirit. Let His Spirit help you fulfill God’s purposes your life. Prayer Father, help me to be more sensitive to the presence of the Spirit. Lead me by Your Spirit. Fill me with Your Spirit. Let Your Spirit move powerfully through my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

light in the darkness

	People Who Walk in Darkness

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” Isaiah 9:2 NASB Night was central to Jesus’ birth. It was at night when the magi, studying the stars, discovered that an important king was to be born. It was at night when the angels appeared to the shepherds and they went to worship Him. The perspective of darkness is important, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ ministry as the “light of the world” (John 8:12). In fact, His followers were to have that same impact, and be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would bring about a powerful transition for those who walk in darkness. This darkness could involve lifestyles or habits that imprison them. It could be felt through relationships that cast a shadow over their lives. They could be bound by sin, disease, or fear. They could be oppressed by demonic forces, deceived and trapped into hoping in the world’s pleasures. They could be discouraged or weary from the weight of problems. Many people are so accustomed to darkness that they don’t realize that anything else is possible. They can’t imagine anything different. But everything changes when they “see a great light.” Their world suddenly becomes clearer. When the light shines on them, they can see the truth about their lives and the world. They know how to live, how to avoid problems, and how to please God. Today, millions of people in the world still “walk in darkness.” People in every nation. In every city. In every neighborhood. During this Christmas season, make a commitment to spread the light of the Gospel. Seek to be a witness to the light, that others, through you, will see the power of Jesus to change lives. And give of your time, talent, and treasure that others will see the light.