July 27, 2014
Matthew 6:19-21-“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.
Like I said, We all have treasures, but the question is: Where are you putting your treasures?
The pharaohs of Egypt were buried with gold and treasures to take into the afterlife, but they left it all behind.
So, what can we learn from them?
Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures In Heaven-In heaven there is no decay, no rust, no moths, no thieves to steal.
In heaven not only does your treasure benefit you there, but it also benefits us here because we have eternity before us, we are part of God’s holy plan, to make sure others benefit from our treasure in heaven! (Tithing, witnessing, giving, praying, helping)
Luke 16:1-Jesus told this story to his disciples: "A rich man hired a manager to handle his affairs, but soon a rumor went around that the manager was thoroughly dishonest.
2-So his employer called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about your stealing from me? Get your report in order, because you are going to be dismissed.'
3-"The manager thought to himself, 'Now what? I'm through here, and I don't have the strength to go out and dig ditches, and I'm too proud to beg.
4-I know just the thing! And then I'll have plenty of friends to take care of me when I leave!'
5-"So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe him?'
6-The man replied, 'I owe him eight hundred gallons of olive oil.' So the manager told him, 'Tear up that bill and write another one for four hundred gallons. '
7-"'And how much do you owe my employer?' he asked the next man. 'A thousand bushels of wheat,' was the reply. 'Here,' the manager said, 'take your bill and replace it with one for only eight hundred bushels. '
8-"The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the citizens of this world are more shrewd than the godly are.
9-I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.
10-"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.
11-And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
12-And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should you be trusted with money of your own? (NLT)
He took advantage of his present position to arrange for a comfortable future!
We can use what we have right now for eternal good, what has been done for the kingdom of God through the use of our treasures lasts for eternity!
Let me urge upon you to be faithful in whatsoever position in life you may be.
It is only as you are in Christ, and Christ in you, that you will be able to realize your true position, and act with true faithfulness. (A. F. Barfield.)
People Are Stewarts
In regard to their talents, time, money, physical, mental, and moral abilities.
In regard to their privileges. Each privilege is a sacred talent, to be utilized for personal, spiritual end. Golden in character.
In regard to their opportunities. People are responsible not only for what they do, but also for what they are capable of doing.
We are accountable in whatever we have, we have received, and we must account for to God.
THE RECKONING DAY IS COMING-The day of reckoning is certain, but uncertain is the time.
No person ever went to heaven whose heart was not there before!
A lady once asked two little boys who were amusing themselves with some beautiful playthings, "Well, boys, these are your treasures, I suppose — your greatest treasures." "No, ma'am," said the elder boy, "these are not our treasures, they are our playthings; our treasures are in heaven."
