True riches that lasts part 3
October 18, 2011"Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
The first statement in this verse by the Lord, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” does not mean that we should embrace poverty and consider it a blessing. What He means by this is to stop being earthly minded, to stop treasuring and considering all the produce of this earth as if this will all be carried to eternity. Believers who are more busy for these earthly pursuits fall into carnality because they are far from the King of the Kingdom. They are serving their bellies more than their King. Paul has a wonderful comment on the above verses when he wrote,
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Godliness is already a great gain! This truth resonates throughout the ages, that those who have surrendered their lives, who have given their riches, their homes, their dreams and pursuits and dedicated it for the purposes of the Kingdom of God are not left with nothing. Contrary to this we are blessed already if we have received Jesus as our Savior, Lord and King. As He had said, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30). God is not forgetful about our sacrifices. Some have given up their properties, their homes, jewels and even their lives and fields of endeavors but all of these will be repaid and more because it will be a hundred times as much in this present age as it will be in the age to come that God will actually return it back to us! Do you have a master, employer or lord who can do better than that promise? This is the reason why the disciples in the early church gladly received persecution and embraced even martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel because they are already assured of eternal life and a Kingdom that will not perish.
The Lord can truly provide for His household and bondservants more than what we could think of and more than what we could have planned before. Paul in fact surrendered his own vocation of law practice to occupy himself of preaching the untainted Gospel of Jesus Christ. Using his own skills and trades, he often supported himself from his own tent-making activities and if the churches he built would send help, he accepts them gladly but would spend most of these for the needs of other believers. He would only use a small portion of that amount for what is needful such as food and clothing. Once we understand the truth that our home really is in heaven, that our riches are not of this earth or our rewards coming from man, we will not be overtly looking for approval from man.
The first statement in this verse by the Lord, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” does not mean that we should embrace poverty and consider it a blessing. What He means by this is to stop being earthly minded, to stop treasuring and considering all the produce of this earth as if this will all be carried to eternity. Believers who are more busy for these earthly pursuits fall into carnality because they are far from the King of the Kingdom. They are serving their bellies more than their King. Paul has a wonderful comment on the above verses when he wrote,
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Godliness is already a great gain! This truth resonates throughout the ages, that those who have surrendered their lives, who have given their riches, their homes, their dreams and pursuits and dedicated it for the purposes of the Kingdom of God are not left with nothing. Contrary to this we are blessed already if we have received Jesus as our Savior, Lord and King. As He had said, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30). God is not forgetful about our sacrifices. Some have given up their properties, their homes, jewels and even their lives and fields of endeavors but all of these will be repaid and more because it will be a hundred times as much in this present age as it will be in the age to come that God will actually return it back to us! Do you have a master, employer or lord who can do better than that promise? This is the reason why the disciples in the early church gladly received persecution and embraced even martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel because they are already assured of eternal life and a Kingdom that will not perish.
The Lord can truly provide for His household and bondservants more than what we could think of and more than what we could have planned before. Paul in fact surrendered his own vocation of law practice to occupy himself of preaching the untainted Gospel of Jesus Christ. Using his own skills and trades, he often supported himself from his own tent-making activities and if the churches he built would send help, he accepts them gladly but would spend most of these for the needs of other believers. He would only use a small portion of that amount for what is needful such as food and clothing. Once we understand the truth that our home really is in heaven, that our riches are not of this earth or our rewards coming from man, we will not be overtly looking for approval from man.
Our
lives would then be radically different because we will stop treasuring
the things that are perishable and use everything that is presented or
given to us for the expansion of the Gospel. All the riches of the earth
cannot compare to the value of one soul that is saved and discipled for
Christ. Our goal therefore must be to use everything entrusted to us
for the good of others, for the expansion of God’s Kingdom for as we do
so we are storing for ourselves “treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
The second statement, which is also a command from the Lord, carries with it the weight that every job you have, every business you fulfill and every earthly treasure you have acquired are truly meant for the Kingdom. To be a great steward does not mean to increase your bank account and let it waste in the hands of man. Rather, the profits you gained can be invested and multiplied more and as you do grow in your financial stewardship, you also grow in your giving and tithes. The riches that have been given to man are not meant only for himself and his family but are to be shared to the needy, those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are sick, those who are without shelter, those who are in prison and those who are lonely.
Our joy is much more abundant when we give to others, when we see them happy and enjoying too what we have been given. God still moves on this earth and the primary way He does this is through each one of us who knows Him. The meaning of life is not to ask questions and sit and ponder forever, rather it is as simple as this, we are blessed by the Savior to bless others too. Paul’s statement that many have been ruined by their desire to get rich is true! In fact, if you will interview people who have won the lotteries, those who have become richer today and ask if they are truly happy, they would tell you point blank that they are rather worried that their wealth will fly away next door!
The question is do we want people to become rich or not? I want and wish all are rich people—rich in giving to others, rich in preaching the Gospel, rich in supporting their missionaries and teachers, rich in supplying the needs of others and rich in God above all. I do not wish people to be rich in money alone but that those who are rich indeed, that they would be eager to help others who are in need. Again we see in the Scriptures that we are commanded to be rich in good deeds, generous, and willing to share. Those whose riches are in heaven won’t be too troubled or anxious whether they have money or none.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Poverty could be wiped out if we share in the burden of others, and those who are capable, those who are rich could put up training centers for those without jobs and hire them. Our consolation is not in how much we own or how much advertisement we gain by our good deeds but in the joy that we are being used to touch others for the glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom.
The second statement, which is also a command from the Lord, carries with it the weight that every job you have, every business you fulfill and every earthly treasure you have acquired are truly meant for the Kingdom. To be a great steward does not mean to increase your bank account and let it waste in the hands of man. Rather, the profits you gained can be invested and multiplied more and as you do grow in your financial stewardship, you also grow in your giving and tithes. The riches that have been given to man are not meant only for himself and his family but are to be shared to the needy, those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are sick, those who are without shelter, those who are in prison and those who are lonely.
Our joy is much more abundant when we give to others, when we see them happy and enjoying too what we have been given. God still moves on this earth and the primary way He does this is through each one of us who knows Him. The meaning of life is not to ask questions and sit and ponder forever, rather it is as simple as this, we are blessed by the Savior to bless others too. Paul’s statement that many have been ruined by their desire to get rich is true! In fact, if you will interview people who have won the lotteries, those who have become richer today and ask if they are truly happy, they would tell you point blank that they are rather worried that their wealth will fly away next door!
The question is do we want people to become rich or not? I want and wish all are rich people—rich in giving to others, rich in preaching the Gospel, rich in supporting their missionaries and teachers, rich in supplying the needs of others and rich in God above all. I do not wish people to be rich in money alone but that those who are rich indeed, that they would be eager to help others who are in need. Again we see in the Scriptures that we are commanded to be rich in good deeds, generous, and willing to share. Those whose riches are in heaven won’t be too troubled or anxious whether they have money or none.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Poverty could be wiped out if we share in the burden of others, and those who are capable, those who are rich could put up training centers for those without jobs and hire them. Our consolation is not in how much we own or how much advertisement we gain by our good deeds but in the joy that we are being used to touch others for the glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom.
Posted by Edison Macusi. Posted In : Word for the week
Our call is to reach out to fellow students, youth and the outcasts of society to disciple them and train them up as leaders. Our aim is to help transform individuals and nations to become vessels for God's honor and glory. We speak God's word with the goal to change lives, bring hope, faith, healing, and unity. We view speaking and writing as important gifts for sharing and serving others with the strength God provides. To Him be the glory and power forever and ever.
