Do you get worried when your bank account is low or maybe empty? Do you hoard resources so that you can spend them on your lusts? Is it your burning desire to be rich in this world; to have a lot of money, many houses and assets? Why do you want bigger pay?
Proverbs 23:4 ‘‘Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. ‘‘
Jesus warns, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…” But why would He tell us so? He explains, “Where moth and rust doth corrupt (or make to go bad) and where thieves break through and steal.” This verse addresses paper money or physical tenders and coins. Did you see or hear the news of many who hoarded millions of naira notes that were discovered later on, decaying and no longer useable? And now we are going cashless, even worse! Nothing on this earth is as enduring as being in Christ. Everything manmade will perish but the riches of heaven will never pass away.
If we amass, thieves will come for that wealth. Imagine the sense of insecurity! What is the cure? He says, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be.” When we lay up treasures in heaven, we read that it is for our own benefit. Think about it. Those riches are as enduring as the life of God. What then are heavenly treasures or riches?
Ellen White explains it well; “The disciples of Christ are called His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. He says, “They shall be as stones of a crown.” “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Zechariah 9:16; Isaiah 13:12. Christ looks upon His people in their purity and perfection as the reward of all His sufferings, His humiliation, and His love, and the supplement of His glory — Christ, the great Center, from whom radiates all glory.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p 89
To join Him in this work of saving souls as we labour for ours with fear and trembling is laying up treasure in heaven “And every word or deed that through the grace of Christ shall kindle in one soul an impulse that reaches heavenward, every effort that tends to the formation of a Christlike character, is laying up treasure in heaven.” Ibid 90.
Where is your heart? This is a heart issue. If your heart is not daily being converted, it would be on the things of earth but if converted to Jesus, all your interests would be in Him. Where is your heart?
FAWEHINMI OLUWATOBI