Bible Studies

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Matthew 6:20-21 – “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths 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.”

Thesaurus Fun:

Treasure – prize, of value, cherished
Heart – center, core, focal point, spirit, mind, affection, concern

Where do You Invest?

On day we will leave this world and leave everything behind – our money, our homes, our toys, our technologies, our clothes, our cars – it will all be left for someone else. We all know this. We are well aware that we will all one day die and that the most important things in life can’t be bought. Yet while we’re here we want to enjoy certain things – things that aren’t bad in them selves, yet if we are not careful these things can become our treasure and steal our hearts away from where they should be (Deuteronomy 32:6-18). But God calls us to invest in His kingdom where the returns and rewards are real and eternal (Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 10:35, Revelation 22:12) – to invest in souls and live and to invest ourselves in Him. For just as our investments of time, money, and concern show where our hearts are, so will our hearts follow those things that we invest in. We can at any moment change the direction of our affections by changing our investments. This is the main reason why Jesus told us to store up treasures in heaven. For since our eternal citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), our hearts ought to be there but too often our thoughts of heaven are dim and vague and it is hard to set your heart on something you can’t see.

Therefore, we must direct our hearts by investing in God’s work on this earth – by being involved in churches, ministries, and the lives of others through gifts of time, money, and prayer. God’s kingdom is not affected by moths and rust and thieves, nor is it affected by the stock market or the economy. Everything that we give to God is kept by Him, safe for us in heaven (2 Timothy 1:12) and it is never lost but blesses those around us on earth. Everything that we invest into God’s kingdom yields up to a hundred fold (Matthew 13:23, Luke 8:8) and not just once but a hundred times over as we build on the investments of others and they build upon ours until the abundant harvest becomes more than any of us could ever hold. What we give to God is never wasted but is multiplied beyond our imagining – like the boy who handed over his lunch to Jesus (Matthew 14.13-21; Mark 6.30-44; John 6.1-14). What was once just enough to feed one, God took and used to feed thousands. What He did with bread and fish, He does with a smile, a prayer, a kind word, a hug, a gift, an act of service, and a surrendered life. For all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27, Matthew 19:26, Luke 18:27).

Point to Ponder

So, what are you investing in? take a close look at your “time, treasure, and talent”. What does your schedule look like? Where are you investing you time? What does your checkbook look like? Where are you investing your money? How are you using your gifts and talents? What are you doing to build up God’s church (His people)?

Let’s pray, “Lord of all creation, God of love and mercy, thank You for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for loving us and for teaching us. Lord, You know how easy it is for us to get bound up with the things of this world. Everything around us would distract us from what really matters – You. Help us to make the most of what we have and our time here – to invest in Your work, to be about Your kingdom. Everything in this world will fade away and all of it will crumble into dust, but Your kingdom, O Lord, will last forever and can never be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). Lead us and teach us how to direct our hearts and live toward Your kingdom and to keep our eyes on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Set our hearts on the eternal and not the temporary. Fix the whole of our lives on You. Be at work in us, moving our hearts with what moves Yours, and so may we be Your hands and feet in this world. May we hear Your voice in our hearts and obey. May we know the joy of a life fully devoted and surrendered to You alone. To You alone be all glory and power forever and ever, may Your will be done on earth, and may the fullness of Your kingdom come to this world. Amen!”

See these songs: For the Sake of the Kingdom, Open Hands

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