Lay Up Heavenly Treasures

Corey,

Earlier this week I was driving to work when I heard a song on the radio. The name of the song was “Temporary Home” and its theme is that earth is our temporary home. We are not here forever, but just for a moment. Unfortunately, many of us forget this and focus on this life. Matthew 6:19-21 says,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus clearly tells us that we should not store treasures up for this life, but instead in heaven. From the beginning of Bible we are told that “dust you are and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19) We will not remain here forever, but instead will spend eternity either heaven or hell. Those who are focused on this life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

I want to clarify something though. This does not mean we should ignore everything in this life. God tells us to glorify Him while we are here. We can, and are commanded to, care for the poor, sick, and oppressed. We are also commanded to encourage you to not focus on the things in this life, but instead focus on glorifying God through serving and obeying His word.

Your Brother in Christ,

Nick

God's Absolute Authority

"In You, O Lord, I put my trust..." ~ Psalm 71:1

Nick,
One of the greatest temptations we suffer is to disregard God's authority. I don't mean a flagrant violation of the laws He has put in place. What I'm talking about is a much more general category. When I say, "disregard God's authority" I'm also saying, "substitute man's foolishness for God's authority." God's laws are perfect, just, and wise; they are the first thing we should look at in any type of situtation, whether it is an argument at a discussion or edification. In contrast man's laws, though often based off God's laws, are often twisted a little bit. The laws of man, when they are against what God says in the Bible, are foolish and have no goodness in them.

Now I'm not saying that we should disregard the authority of man. I'm just saying we should check it agianst Scripture, which we should be doing with everything. The best way to do this is to have God's law written on your heart and your soul wholly given over to the Lord. Why is this the best way? Because we can check things against Scripture if we know what the Word says. However, we must also have our trust be fully in the Lord. We can only do things because the Lord allows us.

So put your trust in the Lord and "lean not on your own understanding." Let us make God's standards our standards and His law our law. Do not give 90% of your heart to God; give him 100%. You may have to give it to Him several times, because you have taken your heart back for yourself. Daily, even hourly, reaffirm that your heart is the Lord's.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) Let that be your motto.

Think about all the things God did to make it so that you could enjoy His creation. Though we constantly rely on our own foolishness, He does not impute the punishement of our iniquity upon us. No, He sent His Son, His own, only begotten Son, perfect, blameless, just, merciful Son. Jesus was present before the world began and will exist forever. Yet He became flesh and took on the full punishment of our sins. He suffered the wrath of God, so that we might gain eternal life. He was willing to be made a curse for His people. He was willing to be separated from the Father, because as a result, you would be joined to the Father. If the Lord was willing to make such great sacrifices for you, why shouldn't you give your life to Him?

Your Brother in Christ,
our Savior and Lord,
Corey