You and your treasure

 You and your treasure

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Matthew 6:19,20

Jesus told this parable,

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 

"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  

And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich and enjoying your wealth. The problem comes if your wealth and pleasure draws you away from God. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10

Many years ago my pastors wife was fond of saying, 

“We have only one life. It will soon be past only what’s done for Christ will last.”

So where is your treasure.

Please think about it.

Why we do it

  Why we do it

Jesus told this parable,  

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.

Someone as asked “why do Christians talk about Jesus so much?” the answer to that is in the above quote from Jesus.

We as Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus truly believe we have, in Jesus found a hidden treasure or a fine pearl of great price, and we want to tell the world about it.

We do truly believe that the most important person in all of history and in our personal lives is Jesus.

Jesus is God incarnate who came to this earth to die for our sins. To make away for us to go to heaven.

The apostle Paul telling us,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

That being said all we can do is present what we believe to anyone who will listen. All we can do is tell those around us what the apostle Paul wrote,

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Of Prime Importance

Of Prime Importance
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”1 Corinthians 15:3.
The apostle John telling us,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.
It is precisely because true believers in Christ Jesus, true Christians, believe these two statements that we reach out to the world around us.
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
For the Christian this is what heaven is like. It is a hidden treasure, fine pearls. Christians however don’t what to keep this treasure a secret we want to share it with those around us.
We believe that by believing in Christ Jesus we have truly found the way to heaven and eternal life with God.
It all comes down however to you the individual. You either accept what is being presented as truth or not. For belief in God and the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus is an act of faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Please think about it.

You can't have two masters

You can’t have two masters
Jesus said,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also....
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:19-21,24.
Are you trying to serve two masters, God and material possessions?
Now let we make things clear. Having a lot of money and possessions is not sinful it is what you do with them that is sinful the apostle Paul writes,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Here in North America we are blessed with freedom to do as we wish. This freedom makes North America a good place to live. Freedom however has its pitfalls when it comes to a persons faith.
It is very easy to get, for lack of a better term “hooked of the American dream” the acquisition of wealth and material things.
Every day we are surrounded by the media and elsewhere telling us that we need the latest gadget. The media tells us that if we just get the latest “thing” our lives will be better. As a result people work long hours to get these “things” and are pulled away from their faith.
As the apostle Paul said,
“...Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
As a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. You must decide who you will serve and the ramifications of your decision.
Please think about it.

How rich are you?

How rich are you?
The gospel of Luke records this Parable of Jesus.
“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”  
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21.
My brother and I are different. Principle in the differences between us is, I’m a Christian, while he’s an atheist.
He likes to say “life is short and he who has all the toys at the end wins.” A statement that couldn’t be more wrong.
When we die all that we’ve accumulated in this life will mean nothing. It will be dispersed between our family, friends and perhaps even the government. Within a century the average person will just be a name in the family tree. Our accomplishments for the most part forgotten.
There is a saying my first pastors wife like to quote it said,

“We have but one life. 

It will soon be past.

 Only what’s done for Christ will last”.

This is true.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. 
There are two things a rich man and a poor man have in common. One is they will one day die. The other is both have a choice where they will spend eternity.
As a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. I believe that you can know now where you will spend eternity. The Apostle Paul telling us.
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.

Why?

Why?
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. 
When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46.
I’ve been asked on numerous occasions “why do Christians want to tell you about their faith?” The answer is in the above portions of scripture.
We as Christians as believers in Christ Jesus have found the “hidden treasure”. We have found the “fine pearl of great value” and want others to share in that treasure.
Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are to make disciples. Moreover Jesus said,

“So in everything, 

do to others what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                                    Matthew 7:12.

One of the things we as Christians must do if we are obeying Christ’s command to do to others what we would have others do to us, is tell people about the most important thing in our lives. That being the Love of Jesus. The Saving Grace God offers to all people through Christ Jesus.
So I would ask you. If you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. If you have not accepted God’s Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus. Please consider doing so.
C. S. Lewis once wrote,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
That means he died for you dear reader. All you have to do is accept this. The apostle Paul telling us,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
  Romans 10: 9,10.
Please think about it.

You and Money

You and Money
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Now let me make one thing clear here the apostle Paul writes,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
It is the “love of money” that causes us problems. It is the priority we put on money,  what we do with it, and how we acquire it that causes the problems. Money in and of itself is not evil.
Money should never come before God.
Money should never take center stage in our lives.
Matthew’s gospel tells this story about a rich young man and Jesus. Matthew records,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
This man apparently at least on an intellectual level believed in God. However he didn’t seem to want to trust God. He had more faith in his wealth than in God.
Thus the question becomes if you claim to believe in God. If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Where do you place your trust?
Please think about it.

Choose

Choose
The book of Joshua tells of Joshua giving the Israelites a choice. It states,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15
This is the same choice we have today.
In our twenty-first century world we have many gods whether we admit it our not. Everything from money, to our job, to what we own, or want to own can become our gods. It just depends on the emphasis we place on these things. After all having wealth, having your dream job, owning or wanting to own a home and nice things is not sinful. They only become sinful if they pull you away from God or cause you to do negative things to those around you.
Jesus warned
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.  
Where our true treasure, is where our heart lies.
Matthew’s gospel records this,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
This young man believed there was a God BUT he put his trust in his wealth not in God. He lacked the faith to give up all he had in this world and trust exclusively in God to provide for him.
Thus my question to you the reader is, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you willing if asked by God, to give up all you own and rely entirely on God to provide for you?
Is you treasure in Heaven or on Earth?
Please think about it.

An Inheritance

An Inheritance
The apostle Peter writes,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Peter speaking to believers in Christ Jesus tells us that God through Jesus Christ has “given us new birth into a living hope...”. That He has given us “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade...”
Jesus himself said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21.
Question. Where is your treasure?
This world we live in is finite. It had a beginning and it will have an end. As does our lives. Our lives begin at conception and end a hand full of years later. As a result all we have inherited from others or accumulated on our own is left behind. All our possessions “but dust in the wind” if you will.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
Ecclesiastes gives this advice as relevant to day as the day it was written.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said of Jesus,
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30,31
Do you believe in God? Do you have a healthy respect for God? Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?
If you were to pass into eternity today and called to stand before God. Would you meet Jesus as your Saviour or your judge?
C. S. Lewis said,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
Jesus did indeed die for you. In doing so God has offered you and each individual who would believe in Him a living hope. As the apostle Peter said,
“In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you...”1Peter 1:3a,4.
Please think about it.

You, Your Treasure, and God

You, Your Treasure and God
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  
But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:19-24.
Where is your real treasure? Jesus states here that we are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Noting that where our treasure is there will be our heart.
Now let me state there is nothing wrong with having wealth in this world. The apostle Paul makes it clear,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Note Paul states “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” That it has caused some to wander from the faith. This is what Jesus is alluding too.
Wealth in and of itself is not evil or good. Money and material things can be used both for good and bad. It can also keep you from getting to heaven depending on what your relationship with your wealth is.
Our true treasure must be laid up in heaven.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.  
   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:5-8.
As a Christian I believe we should be content with what we have at any given time.
Now there’s nothing wrong with wanting to better our position in life. At the same time however the urge to better ourselves should never pull us away from our faith, or cause us to harm  others in any way.
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Thus my question to you the reader is, Where is your treasure?
Please think about it.

Christian, What is Jesus to you?

Christian,...What is Jesus to you?
Jesus told this Parable,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.   When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”Matthew 13:44-46.
If you claim to be a Christian do you believe this. Is your faith in Christ the most precious thing in your life. Is it so important that you need to tell others what you believe.
As Christians we have an important duty before God. Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
If you believe Jesus when He said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Then you must at the least engage those around you in conversation about Jesus. You must do this because their eternal destiny may rest upon what you say and do.
As Christians we cannot take our faith lightly. We must present the good news of Jesus in spirit and in truth, in word and in deed to others.
We must as the writer of Hebrews said,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
For without us doing this those around us may never even know the truth about Jesus.
Please think about it.

You and God

You and God

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1,2.
Where do you stand. Do you stand with God or not. You can’t have it both ways.
The book of Joshua records this statement,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15.
How committed are you to your God?
Over the years I’ve met many people who say they are committed Christians but a quick look at their actions brings that into question. I’ve known many people who have decided to skip a morning church service to go golfing or to a sports event or other secular event.
Many who go to church think nothing of skipping church to do other things when there is no need and many times you can do both.
I’ve met many who in the work place hide their faith for fear of being ostracized. Some even hide their faith from their neighbours.
Many fail to take a stand even on the most basic of Christian principle.
When given a choice between a midweek bible study many choose other things.
The bottom line here comes down to how strong is your commitment to Christ?
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:19-24.
Who do you serve?
The writer of proverbs tells us,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
Is God and Christ center of your life?
Please think about it.