LIFE'S TREASURES
We all know a treasure is something we cherish and is very valuable to us, but what does the word treasure actually mean?
Treasure in Greek meaning , as in the New Testament, is defined as: " a deposit or wealth." The meaning comes
from the word "thesaurios" of which the root word, "theo", means "to put, place, commit or give."
In Hebrew, the word treasure meant 'to store up in a secret storehouse or depository', as hidden riches.
What do we treasure most in life? The answer to this is something each of us as Christians must determine in our hearts.
We cannot separate what we do from what we believe. What we treasure most determines the priorities of our heart.
If our priorities were to be judged by where we put most of our time, money, and efforts in this life,
what would the verdict be?
As God's children, we must know not only what our treasures in life consist of, but also where we have put these things
or to whom we have committed and entrusted them. Further along we will know, but we can examine our hearts today
and make sure the Lord is first place in our life.
The world today is rich and increased with goods.
Today's society is self seeking and always "laying up more goods" for self, instead of things eternal in heaven.
Treasures which people lay up on earth are not eternal. Our Lord tells us they can erode away or may be stolen.
The treasures which we lay up in heaven and entrust to our Lord will never lose their value, and are safe from thieves,
moth, and corruption. If our profits are in the
heavenlies, our heart will be there too.
Things of this earth will fade away but the things of God will endure forever. Many people today serve money and will
spend their entire lives saving it, only to die and leave it all behind. All Christians should ask themselves if their
commitment to God and spiritual matters outweigh the desire for money and the materialistic things which money can buy.
Yesterday, I attended a funeral of a young Christian man who had passed away suddenly with a massive heart attack.
The Pastor used Psalm 39 as his text, and "how man at his best state is altogether vanity, Selah"...(or ponder again on this thought).
King David said in this Psalm that men heap up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. This is so
true with many in our world today. We all have a free will to make Christ Lord of our life and lay up treasures in heaven.
Those who choose Christ and his righteousness have laid up riches forever in that heavenly city above.
At the end of this funeral service an invitation was given for sinners to accept the Lord Jesus Christ.
Several people gave their hearts to the Lord and prayed the sinner's prayer as the Body of Christ worshipped
the Lord and paid final tribute to the one called home.
He had let God change his heart one day from "the old man"
to "a brand new man in Christ" who now fully realizes his goals. When we receive Jesus into our hearts, 'the
old man' dies and a brand new life begins with our focus to be on spiritual values.
In this world today we must all take thought as we see a "materialistic trap" which many will fall into without
realizing life is only as a vapor and what we do with today counts for all eternity.
We are told in 1 Timothy 6: 10 that "the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin."
Our Lord would ask us to search our hearts as to who is our Master.
One test is to ask what occupies more of our thoughts, time, and efforts.
God wants us to prosper in this life and will supply all our needs if we always put Him and his Kingdom first.
We see a body of believers written about in Revelation who were rich and increased with goods but did not see their need.
These in reality were poor, miserable, naked and blind to their need for God first in their lives.
They had left their first love.
The question to us today is still the same. What is first place in our lives?
God is calling for a decision that allows us to live contentedly
with whatever we have and choose that which is eternal and lasting.
Choosing Jesus first is choosing the best this life has to offer.
Serving God and putting Him first is the best way to restore spiritual vision and see clearly the things God desires most of us in this life.
God's way is the only way to go! His paths are straight and his light is right. If we store up heavenly desires and share the
burden of the Lord, we will find values and rewards that are out of this world! May our hearts be joined as one with Him as we daily seek to commit our ways to Him and lay up eternal treasures in heaven. Further along, we will know all about the things
we may not understand now. We shall see our Lord 'face to face' and know that everything we walked through in this life was
worth it. Heaven will surely be worth it all! The old hymn admonishes us, "cheer up," as we really will understand
it all better by and by. Our Lord promises all things work together for good to those who love Him
and are called according to his purpose. Claim his word and walk in peace and love.
Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2002
Life's Treasures
Treasures sought in this life here on earth
Are not everlasting but will all fade away,
The riches laid up in heaven above
Will remain eternal as we seek Him first each day.
Silver and gold can buy the things of this world
But cannot move the hand of our Lord,
Prayer and obedience opens heaven's golden gate,
And lays up for us an eternal reward.
Seek God first and all things will be added
According to promises in His Holy Word,
Pray always with love and compassion for the lost,
Sharing his message of the greatest story ever heard.
Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2002
J. P.'s Inspirations
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