Monday, June 20, 2016

Matthew 6:19-22: Treasure in Jesus

“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.”

When we invest ourselves in God, focusing our lives on and imitating Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and self-giving, we are investing in heavenly things. Keeping our minds and lives focused on Jesus, means our hearts are focused on Jesus, not on the poison of power, excessive wealth, or possessions.
Money, possessions, and material items, when obsessively sought after, can draw us away from God and into a world of self-focus and spiritual emptiness. Our lives, as a result, focus on the self first, putting God and others last. This doesn’t mean we cannot seek financial comfort and wealth; it means we must not obsess and be consumed by it. Earning a living and providing for our families is part of our calling in this world, a responsibility God gives us. We are to do it fairly, however, and with constant concern for God and neighbor.
Jesus reminds his audience, and us, to focus on the things of God and to make wise spiritual investments in life by surrendering ourselves to him. And when we give ourselves to God, investing our spiritual treasure and heart into his care, we commit ourselves to the betterment of our neighbor, too.
May the peace and love of Christ be with you all.

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