Treasures in Eternity

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)

Wherever your treasure is...

There are things we define as a 'treasure' in our lives doesn't always deserve as much attention as we are giving it. We focus way too much energy, give lots more time than needed, and even come to honor that thing more than we do our relationship with God and others. Most of the time, treasures are those things that we come to value more than we do God. To that end, we are reminded that the only thing that deserves that much of our attention is God himself.

Wealth, riches, valuables - all are good and are not 'sinful' as long as we maintain a right perspective toward those things. These things can be the result of God's blessing and provision in our lives, so they cannot be 'bad' themselves. God even refers to 'treasures' as those things he gives us in the way of nougats of truth and wisdom from his Word, so not all 'treasure' is bad. The problem comes when we turn our attention and heart toward those things as our 'main focus' in life. 

Everything we are given on this earth is transient at best. There is truly no lasting quality to any of it. Houses are built, then time takes a toll and decay begins. Automobiles are shiny at first, but rust and wear begin to take away that 'shininess', doesn't it? Relationships can start out all 'simpatico' and then a bump in the road derails it. We cannot trust in those treasures that are fleeting. The only treasure we can truly trust in is the relationship and right standing we have with God through Jesus Christ, his Son.

We are reminded to seek treasures that matter, such as righteousness, godly wisdom, solid character, and obedience to the will of God. Without such things, we will falter. We will go only so far on earthly wisdom, then it will fail. We will get ahead in this world by buying into its standards, but we will be moving further and further away from God's standards. Eternity will be filled with those who chose treasures on this earth over those God affords. Don't be among those who realize too late that they have misplaced their affections and attentions on this earth. The treasure you focus on determines your destiny. Just sayin!