Matthew 6:20
But
store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor
thieves break in and steal.
I noticed my wife
checking on some safety boxes. I asked
her if she intends to buy one. She
replied that she is thinking of buying one so she may safekeep her jewelries
and some money. But she noticed that the
big-sized boxes are expensive so I just told her to buy the smaller one. Then she remarked, “Well, if I buy the small
one, the thief would just carry it with him rather than opening it.” Hahaha… she’s right and we both burst into
laughter. And she ended up not buying
anything at all.
Our Lord used three graphic figures to
emphasize the temporary nature of material things. He spoke first of the
moth, which destroys. Then he spoke of rust, which cause decay.
Then he referred to the thief, who steals. What men give their lives to
may be destroyed or decayed and ultimately will depart forever.
Our Lord did not condemn wealth, but He
warned against loving wealth. Our Lord was not concerned with what a man
has, but with a man’s attitude toward what he has. The Scriptures does
not condemn the accumulation of wealth but, when God gives a man wealth, He
holds him responsible as a steward.
We overcome our attachment to
self-centeredness by storing up for ourselves treasures in Heaven through
expressions of love, kindness, compassion, experiencing the presence of God,
seeing the face of Christ in others, and doing good to others in as many ways
as we possibly can without asking for anything in return.
Only the Spirit of God – “Lay not up for
yourselves treasures on earth.” Earthly treasure is not true wealth; true
wealth is godliness.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, teach us to experience treasures
in heaven and thus escape yearning for earthly things. Teach us to live in the sunshine of Your love,
forever seeking Heaven which begins right here in our hearts. Amen +
From all their distress God rescues the just.
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