Where Is Your Treasure? (Hix)

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.

The first thing we have to realize is that there are two places to store our treasures:

1-On this earth

2-In heaven

The second thing is…Everyone has treasures

Jesus is talking to poor people, they worried about what clothing they would wear, were they would get their next meal.

Because a treasure is more of the thing you hold in your heart, than the thing you can hold in your hand!

A treasure can be anything that you place your affections and attention on.

It may be your money, possessions, reputation, honor, praise, relationship, degree, or time.

The thing that you treasure, is what you value above every other thing!

And like I said, everybody has them, regardless of their age, status, gender, background, education, wealth.

How Do You Know If Something Has Become A Treasure?

1-If you don’t think you can live without it, it might be a treasure!

2-If it brings you great pleasure and satisfaction, above everything else, it might be a treasure!

3-You might give up other things, but you will not give up on the thing that you treasure

4-If it is more important than God, It Is A Treasure!

That definition of a treasure can include spouse, children, career, house, car, riches…etc.

Now, the one good thing about having love ones as a treasure, is that you have the opportunity to make sure you take that treasure with you to heaven!!

To many families make sure, that their loves ones are taken care of on this old earth, even after they pass away, but they haven’t helped their love ones, take care of their spiritual side of life!!

Jesus Is Not Against Us Having Treasures

Who do you thing we get those treasures from?

He is not condemning possessions, or enjoying what God has blessed us with!

Proverbs 6:6-11-Teaches us to be wise with our resources, to plan ahead , to be good stewards.

1Timothy 5:8-But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Teaches that we have a responsibility to our family of taking care of their needs.

But Jesus does warn against relying on earthly treasure that do not last!

There are millions of people who have and are depending on earthly treasures to give them security, and comfort, and longevity!

In Jesus’ day, wealth was stored and measured by how much possessions a person owned (garments, grain, and gold or precious metal) no, different than the way we judge people today!

But all of things can be lost, stolen, fade away, rust away!

Moth and rust represent loss from within the inside!

Thieves represent loss from without the outside! (A thief can steal more than your valuables, maybe even your heart)

No matter what we do, or how we try to protect it, none of our wealth or possessions is safe. People have lost their life sayings over night before!

Then of course remember this: When rich people die, they do not just leave behind a lot of money….They leave all of it.!

I want to leave with one treasure that will not depart, will not fade away!

Psalm 119:162-I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great treasure.