[Jesus continued:] "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
—Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
Jesus wasn't very big on storing up things. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31) reminds us how easily we can forget that our blessings come from God's grace and are not something we have gotten on our own. Jesus did not store up things while he was here; he shared them, gave them away, gave them to people in need, and used what he had to bless others. Jesus wants us to confront a couple of crucial questions: What is our treasure and where are we keeping it? Every earthly treasure we have is vulnerable to destruction. Every one of our treasures, except our relationship with God and his people, is temporary. So why do we spend so much time investing in things that will not ultimately satisfy or sustain? Jesus urges us to invest in what is lasting, eternal, and ultimately perfect. If we do, nothing can destroy and nothing can steal our blessed assurance that we will be victorious in Jesus.
O precious LORD, thank you for investing so heavily in me and in the world in which I live. There is no one who can love me like you do. Father, please help me focus my priorities and my thoughts on heavenly things and on placing my treasures in heaven. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus wasn't very big on storing up things. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31) reminds us how easily we can forget that our blessings come from God's grace and are not something we have gotten on our own. Jesus did not store up things while he was here; he shared them, gave them away, gave them to people in need, and used what he had to bless others. Jesus wants us to confront a couple of crucial questions: What is our treasure and where are we keeping it? Every earthly treasure we have is vulnerable to destruction. Every one of our treasures, except our relationship with God and his people, is temporary. So why do we spend so much time investing in things that will not ultimately satisfy or sustain? Jesus urges us to invest in what is lasting, eternal, and ultimately perfect. If we do, nothing can destroy and nothing can steal our blessed assurance that we will be victorious in Jesus.
Today's Prayer
O precious LORD, thank you for investing so heavily in me and in the world in which I live. There is no one who can love me like you do. Father, please help me focus my priorities and my thoughts on heavenly things and on placing my treasures in heaven. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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