57. Sermon on the Mount Secrets - Where is your treasure? Part 2

We're busy discussing this passage in Matthew 6:19-20: 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.

We were saying that our entire focus should not be material things on earth, but should be using the gift we've received and God will care for us. I then gave an example of how the Lord cares for us personally while we're working at focussing more on our gift than on money and where that comes from.

Someone else's gift might be making money and giving it away. Such a person does not care much for teaching, encouragement, evangelism, or anything “spiritual.” She wants to bless God’s Kingdom and see to it that the wheels are turning. She does not love money, for money passes through her hands; she just loves making money.

I have a friend like that, only his passion is not giving, but serving. He was part of our youth outreach team some years ago. While we were all interested in evangelism, teaching, and counselling, he was more than happy to maintain our building, sound system, and electrical equipment. He was outspoken about it. He had no need to preach; he just wanted to serve. He felt that was what God called him to do.

God is concerned about the focus of our heart. What do we think about? How do we use our time and energy? Is it for His Kingdom or our own well being? Have you ever wondered why the world is developing, why we are not still riding horses, carts, and wagons? It is because people think. We constantly think up better ways to do things, and the result is a dynamic, changing world. If we constantly think about who God is, discovering His characteristics and imitating them, what a dynamic place the church will be.

What are these treasures we store up in heaven? Would it be money when we give money? Would we have a magnificent mansion in heaven that we so desired on earth?

I have a parable for you. Once there was a rich man and a poor man, both Christians, who lived in the same village. They knew about each other. The rich man lived in luxury, just for himself. He believed in Jesus, but loved his position in church. The poor man, on the other hand, loved Jesus in spite of his poverty and cared for other poor people by helping and encouraging them.

One day, they both died and went to heaven. As they walked with the angel who took them to their homes, they saw a spectacular mansion.

“That must be mine,” the rich man said.

“No,” the angel said, “it belongs to the poor man.”

The rich man’s shoulders slumped. “Then where is my home?”

The angel pointed to a small shack and shrugged. “We could use only the building material that you sent up.”

I don’t know what our homes in heaven will be like. Some Bible translations talk about mansions, most mention rooms, but the Greek word means residences. However, it doesn’t matter, because what we send up will be used to our benefit, whatever the Lord decides this benefit might be. I think the best treasure we can send to heaven is obedience. I said earlier that the closer we live to the Lord on earth, the more intimate our relationship with Him, the closer we will be to Him in heaven. This is why Hebrews 12:14 says that without holiness no one will see God. Our present relationship will simply be transferred.
 Isn’t being close to the Lord in heaven already enough treasure? But once again, isn't this a selfish approach? The greatest treasure we can send up to heaven if we consider God's needs are souls. We have the saying in English; "the more the merrier". We have been so conditioned that money will make us happy. Mammon tries his utmost to get us to focus on earthly treasures, but to God, it's about relationships. Who are the happiest - the rich people all alone in their position and status, or the crowds of ordinary people having fun? Heaven is going to be fun. Why would that be? Would it be because we are all going to be all alone in our mansions, or because we will be one big happy family surrounding our Father?

We all have gifts, and we are not expected to give more than we have or more than we are gifted for. It doesn’t matter what you sow, as long as you sow in obedience. All sowing will result in equal blessing on earth and a treasure in heaven, and usually in winning and preparing souls for an exciting and joyful eternal life with Father God.

For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way.