Last week, we talked about laying up treasures, not here on earth, but in heaven, where they will last and have eternal value. So, what does this look like? What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven?
Mathew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." When our focus is on earthly treasure, wealth, possessions, success, our heart and motivation will be set on accomplishing those things. We will have a heart motivated by selfishness and pride. But if our focus is on storing up treasure of eternal value, our heart and delight will be to live as Christ lived, always doing the Father's will, pursuing God in our personal life, being generous, serving others, encouraging others, and following the Spirit's lead in sharing the Gospel.
When we ponder where our heart is and what kind of treasure we are seeking to lay up, examining our motivation is so important. Can heavenly treasure be stored up by doing the right thing with the wrong motivation?
Read Matthew 6:1-4:
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
This is true heavenly treasure, to give generously, serve humbly, and practice righteousness without thought of receiving anything in return. Our reward will be from our Father in heaven and far greater than anything we can imagine.
This giving season, lets practice laying up treasure in heaven.
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