TOPIC: TREASURES IN HEAVEN
TEXT: Matt. 6: 19-21; Lk. 12: 32-34
First delivered 28th July 1996.
Outline
Introduction
1. A call to hospitality
2. A call to be heavenly-minded
INTRODUCTION
The report has been given about a man in Beijing, China, who, at 82 years of age, suffered a devastating financial loss.
Mistrustful of banks, he had dug a hole in the ground 5 years earlier and deposited his life savings in it. When the man needed some cash, he dug up the money. To his dismay, he discovered that it was moldy almost beyond recognition. He was able to salvage only about one-third of his savings. (Our Daily Bread, 27/7/91).
This talks about the corruptions that exist on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
But we do have a sure bank that cannot go distressed nor can moth and rust reach to destroy and where thieves cannot break in and steal.
Jesus was very sure of the condition in heaven that He showed us the business we should engage in to be sure of eternal dividends.
1. A call to hospitality, Lk. 12:32-34
Giving to charity here on earth makes you save an unfailing treasure in heaven, and you are sure of its eternal dividends.
Gal. 6: 9-10 gives us the Principles.
(a) Believe God for opportunities to do good unto others
(b) Do good to fellows believers
(c) Do good to all men
There is nothing you have that has not been given you. God has a plan and purpose of giving you that which you see as yours today. For that same reason you must use the provision.
We can learn lesson from God’s provision of the Manna from heaven for the Hebrews in the wilderness, Ex. 16:16-31
a. God’s Provision is for your immediate future need, v. 16, 21
b. Any excess you have is to meet your brother’s need or shortfall in demand, v 17 – 18
c. The excess can also be for your tomorrow’s need (Kept at God’s command), vv.22-24
Any provision that does not satisfy either of these purposes, got rotten, v.20.
Check these men that God entrusted with riches:
The rich man in Lk. 12:16-21 was rich in material things but was not rich toward God.
See God’s judgment on him:
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Foolish is that person whose “securities” are all material in nature. They will either fail or be left behind when we pass into eternity.
The rich young ruler also missed the treasures of heaven, when he chooses his earthly possessions. Lk. 18:22-23, Mk. 10:21-22; Mt. 19:21-22. He preferred riches to the Savior.
The rich man in Lk. 16 did not care for the beggar at his gate.
But God will always have a witness. Joseph of Arimathea was an excellent example of how rich men should use their wealth.
This should lead us to the second point of the outline
2. A Call to be heavenly – minded, vv. 20,21; Col. 3:1-2.
Heaven is our home where a mansion is being prepared for you. We should therefore be home sick.
But its only those who have treasurer in heaven that will long for heaven. Many have their treasures here on earth and so heaven means little or nothing to them. Getting to heaven now is not a journey they are willing to undertake now or so soon. This is because they do not focus on the father.
Illustration
The long walk of a father with a Lad. The lack of focus of the lad will delay the journey. Let’s move on with the father that our getting to heaven may not be delayed.
Another reason for not being heavenly minded could be because of ignorance of what awaits us in heaven.
What awaits you in heaven?
1. The Lord Jesus Himself. His presence shall make heaven glorious.
2. The saints of all ages. We’ll talk with Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Job, Moses, etc.
3. Angels, especially your own Guardian angel
4. Joy. In the presence of God, there is fullness of joy. Ps. 16:11
5. Glory – He shall receive me to glory. Ps. 73:24
6. Pleasures in heaven – the “NO MORES’ – Rev. 21:4
- SANKEY - HYMN 1012 - IN THE LAND OF FADELESS DAY
7. Treasures in heaven
-Souls won, good deeds, services rendered, sacrifices of Love made for the master, etc.
Queen of Sheba told Solomon:
“……the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.” (2 Chr. 9: 6).
When we get to heaven, you and I will exclaim with ecstasy:
“…The one –half of the glories of heaven was not told me.” (2 Chr. 9:6 modified).
The entrance fee to heaven is the same for everyone.
What shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world but loose his soul. Mt. 16:26.
Heaven is a longing for some while it is hell for some others.
In his book Heaven, Peterson from pg.13 compared some dying words of some Christians with those facing Christless eternity.
The chariot has come, and I am ready to step in - Jordan Antis
Eternity rolls up before me like a sea of glory - Margaret Prior
How bright the room, How full of angels - Martha McCrackin
I wish I had the power of writing;
I would describe how pleasant it is to die - Dr. Cullen.
“Can this be death? Why, it is better than living.
Tell them I die happy in Jesus” - John Arthur Lyth
“Oh, that I could tell you what joy I posses. I am full of rapture.
The Lord doth shine with such power upon my soul.
He is come! He is come! - Mrs. Mary Frances
In sharp contrast, see the sting of death in these words of dying sinners;
“I am suffering the pangs of the damned” - Tallyrand Perrigord
“I am abandoned by God and man.
I shall go to hell. O Christ, O Jesus Christ. - Voltaire
“What blood, what murders, what evil counsels have I followed, I am lost, I see it well” - Charles IX, King of France.
“I would give worlds, if I had them, if the
Age of Reason had never been published. O Lord, help me.
Christ, help me. Stay with me.
It is hell to be left alone” - Tom Paine.
These all labored for fame, earthly possession at the expense of their soul.
The world knew them - In fact they still have disciples today - but they knew they are not known in heaven. They had only earthly treasures.
For us that are still on earth, we have opportunities of making heaven rich and full of our treasures.
Illustration: Both Glad and Sad.
We were told of an old legend about three men crossing a desert on horseback at night. Approaching a dried-up pond bed, they heard a voice commanding them to stop and dismount, pick up some pebbles, put them in their pockets, and not look at them until the morning.
The men were also promised that if they obeyed they would be both glad and sad. They obeyed, mounted their horses and went on their way.
As the light of dawn breaks, the men reached into their pockets to pull out the pebbles. To their great surprise, they had been transformed into diamonds, rubies, and other precious gems. It was then that they realized the significance of the promise that they would be both glad and sad. They were happy that they had picked up as many pebbles as they did, but sorry-so sorry- that they had not collected more. - From Our Daily Bread (ODB) of 19th Jan. 19991.
- In heaven, we will be happy for the treasures we laid up in heaven while on earth and joyful for the reward Christ will give us. But we will also experience regret for not having done more to serve Him.
SONG IN YORUBA DIALET
A o gba Ere re
Nigbti Jesu bade
Ohun ta se f’olorun ko gbe
A fi pamo s’orun ni.
Translated:
We shall get the due rewards,
When Jesus shall come.
Our labor for the Lord is not in vain.
We have just laid them up as Treasures in heaven.
