Today is the second of a three-part message on Treasure Hunters. Jesus cautioned His disciples, “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 where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
In this brief but penetrating passage, Jesus sets forth four powerful truths that relate to treasure hunting. On Monday I outlined the first truth―that everyone is a treasure hunter. Jesus assumes treasure hunting as a mark of all humanity; we are all seeking value. Today we will confine our focus to the second truth.
TRUTH #2
The second truth is found in the two different classes of treasure we may pursue: earthly and heavenly . . . carnal and spiritual . . . important and unimportant . . . little and big . . . temporal and eternal. We always have two choices in treasure hunting; we can hunt for the stuff we want or the stuff God wants for us.
It’s important to note that we could, in fact, be pursuing the treasure God wants us to pursue, but for the wrong reasons, like personal power or self-centered glorification. A church elder, for example, who enjoys the prestige of authority rather than the fulfillment of serving is pursuing godly treasure, but with the entirely wrong motive! Another wrong (but not uncommon) motive for pursuing godly treasure is found in the Christian who is seeking the applause and praise of man for his charitable deeds. The ultimate goal here is status, not service―shrinking your life down to the size of your life and nothing more.
As treasure hunters we not only need to be pursuing the right stuff, we must be pursuing it for the right reasons. At this level of living, we are being shaped by the Savior in all we desire, decide, and do. We have been created to seek treasure that truly matters, treasure which is rooted in a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We simply cannot deny the powerful pull of both classes of treasures, earthly and heavenly. The one that rules your heart will ultimately shape your life. NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!
Grace for the Race 