Store Up!

Store Up!

Matthew 6:19 AMP

[19] “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

As part of the first Sermon of Jesus on the mountain, He spoke of various issues such as adultery, murder, anger, provision, prayer and anxiety. He was speaking to the few He had chosen as disciples, and who had followed Him to the top of the mountain to hear Him speak. Of course, the crowd too was there listening to Him, but as you know, the standards of God are not for the uncommitted or the undecided. You do not get to sit on the fence and be content with half-hearted devotion; you have to be all in or all out. You do not get away with being lukewarm; as we now know, the consequence of lukewarmness is to be eternally rejected by God. Am I content being part of the crowd and the many undecided majority, or would I strive to go with Jesus to the top of the mountain, sit with Him and get instructions for life, and then move out at His command to impact the world around me? 

As I seek to know more of this God and what He wants from me, I have to be intentional about doing what He commands, when He commands it, and how He commands me. I have tried it my own way several times and it did not work out well. I have to listen to and truthfully try out what Jesus recommends here. He advises me NOT to store up for myself material treasures here on earth. I note that this places strategic importance on saving for the future; but it has to be the right way, with the right materials, and for the right end. It is biblical to plan for the future; in fact, one will be a fool if you are only focused on the now, and not making any plans about what the future holds. The world teaches us to save and plan for the unknown tomorrow, and that is not a bad thing in itself. To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail. That is a popular saying by motivational speakers, and it has relevance in the spiritual too. 

Jesus also emphasizes saving and planning, but this time, it is for a certain tomorrow, at least for those who have made up their minds to seek after the will of God for their lives and pursue Him. The treasures of the earth are indeed valuable, and they open doors of impact and opportunities for those who have them and can make good use of them. However, the story is not complete without the spiritual dimension. As I plan for impact down here, I must also plan for eternity with God. Thieves also know the value of the treasures of the earth, and some will do anything, even kill, to take hold of these treasures. If things that are temporal can make men take such steps, how much more should we who know the eternal value of life with God, also take steps to secure our future. We cannot afford to fold our arms, do nothing and expect that eternity with God is secure; it is by conscious and deliberate actions that we will secure that which no force on earth can take away. Do I have Him? Have I secured life? God's time of favour is here.