The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 6:19-21,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The truth of these words from Jesus are underscored throughout the Scriptures. In very simple terms, he points out that we can invest the one life we have in one of two ways: to reap what we can in this life and all it has to offer, or to reap what could be ours in God's family for eternity.
Here is how the writer of Hebrews put it when speaking of those who chose the latter, "All these people [those who embraced God in faith as examples to us] were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
We all have one of two alternatives to choose from in this life: a short-sighted indulgence in the pleasures of this life, or turning from the short-sighted indulgences this life has to offer to embrace the Lord and all he has to offer us in eternity as members of his family.
Foolish and shallow people will choose the pleasures this life has to offer - losing out on what eternal life has to offer. David describes what eternal life has to offer as members of God's family, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:9-11.
Paul puts it this way, "God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." Romans 2:6-11.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The truth of these words from Jesus are underscored throughout the Scriptures. In very simple terms, he points out that we can invest the one life we have in one of two ways: to reap what we can in this life and all it has to offer, or to reap what could be ours in God's family for eternity.
Here is how the writer of Hebrews put it when speaking of those who chose the latter, "All these people [those who embraced God in faith as examples to us] were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
We all have one of two alternatives to choose from in this life: a short-sighted indulgence in the pleasures of this life, or turning from the short-sighted indulgences this life has to offer to embrace the Lord and all he has to offer us in eternity as members of his family.
Foolish and shallow people will choose the pleasures this life has to offer - losing out on what eternal life has to offer. David describes what eternal life has to offer as members of God's family, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:9-11.
Paul puts it this way, "God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." Romans 2:6-11.
We all have a choice to make in what we invest our lives in: store up treasures here on earth or store up treasures in heaven. Why insist on the immediate gratification of the uncertain, short-term and shallow "treasures" this life offers when we can embrace the Lord in faith and go all-in for eternal pleasures that are certain, enduring and vastly richer than anything this life has to offer?
Will we choose wisely? Or, will we choose foolishly?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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