Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Matthew 6:19 KJV
Context and Charge:
Jesus was addressing his disciples here on the mountain, even though there was a huge crowd at the foot of the mountain also listening to Him. As always, the message of Christ is for all men; no discrimination or favouritism. The gift of eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus has been given to all men, and I can only enjoy the benefits when my life aligns with the conditions. Today's extract is therefore one of many lessons on the demands of salvation. It calls for specific action from all who claim it. Am I saved, or do I still need to clarify my identity in Christ? For the sake of eternity, this is a question that must be answered in the affirmative.
We are all storing up something precious somewhere, whether we are conscious of it or not. Our daily decisions, thoughts, actions, relationships and interactions all show the contents of our hearts. If my life is a daily dedication to obeying God's word, I am laying up treasures in the right place. If I am constantly seeking my own way, believing I am my own master, I am also laying up treasure somewhere else. The key thing to remember is that my eternal reality is defined by the location of my treasure. If I have nothing of eternal value stored up, how do I draw out of it when the time comes?
Contention and Conclusion:
Eternity has no credit facilities; only reward. The earthly life is the only place where I can use the credit of God's grace to store right. It is also important to note that there is no place on earth, no matter how secure, that can hold eternal treasure, because eternal treasure cannot be understood by the world. Give it enough time, everything earth produces or initiates always dies, either by rust, disease, change in fortune or content, or death. God has so done it in a way that the only thing of this earth that will survive the fire that is coming is my eternal soul. That has to be my focus and my daily priority: how do I secure eternal dwelling with God?
Salvation is the foundation, and service to God forms the building blocks. It does not matter what the job specs say; just make sure that it is what God prescribed. Do not do it only because there is earthly gain involved; that must not be the sole reason why I do what I do. There has to be eternal value to whatever will demand my effort and time. If it is worth doing at all, it must be worth doing well. Remember, a fire is coming that will utterly consume all that we see now. I must make the best of the earth's resources, but I must not let them consume my heart. The eternal must be the pursuit. God's time of favour is here.
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