Lay Not For Yourselves On Earth.
Trust God.
by Dada Damilola.
This article was published in our March magazine.
February may be summed as a time of money and fuel scarcities, difficulty and elections for a seeming Messiah in Nigeria. We have seen and heard of burning of banks and abuse of bank staff has become rampant. There have been fightings at fuel stations, extortion on various fronts has become a common theme as the merciless character of many that has been hidden for a time has been sparked to life; highway oppression has come to life in great numbers.
The trials of the last month have caused a shaking among the people of the land. In spite of all these happenings, it is important for all to know that this is only a mild test for us to prepare for the things to come. Now more than ever is the time to prayerfully prepare for the more turbulent. Overtime many have amassed riches, through either proper or improper means and have laid up these riches on the earthly projects. The banks have been the store house for these treasures. But then we see that “Treasure laid up on earth will not endure; thieves break through and steal; moth and rust corrupt; fire and storm sweep away your possessions.
And “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Treasure laid up on the earth will engross the mind to the exclusion of heavenly things.” MB 88.3
In the wake of not being able to access earthly treasure gathered, many have been caused to fret, emotions have heightened and many would go to various lengths to retrieve these treasures from the authorities who hold them. There have been protests and riots. The counsel given by Christ is that, “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
All treasures laid up in heaven’s vaults are the most secure. in these vaults no form of rust or decay is present. Thieves cannot break into these vaults, its security is eternal. What treasures are then allowed into these vaults? “This treasure, which Christ esteems as precious above all estimate, is “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18. The disciples of Christ are called His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. He says, “They shall be as the stones of a crown.” “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man 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.” MB89.3
“And we are permitted to unite with Him in the great work of redemption and to be sharers with Him in the riches which His death and suffering have won. The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians: “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? for ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20. This is the treasure for which Christ bids us labour.”
How then shall we lay these treasures?
“Character is the great harvest of life. 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. Where the treasure is, there the heart will be. In every effort to benefit others, we benefit ourselves. He who gives money or time for spreading the gospel enlists his own interest and prayers for the work, and for the souls to be reached through it; his affections go out to others, and he is stimulated to greater devotion to God, that he may be enabled to do them the greatest good.” MB 90.1
And at the final day, when the wealth of earth shall perish, he who has laid up treasure in heaven will behold that which his life has gained. If we have given heed to the words of Christ, then, as we gather around the great white throne, we shall see souls who have been saved through our agency, and shall know that one has saved others, and these still others—a large company brought into the haven of rest as the result of our labors, there to lay their crowns at Jesus’ feet, and praise Him through the ceaseless ages of eternity. With what joy will the worker for Christ behold these redeemed ones, who share the glory of the Redeemer! How precious will heaven be to those who have been faithful in the work of saving souls!’’ MB 90.2
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. Blessings.