The True Treasure

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith. and pierced themselves through with many sorrows ( 1 Timothy 6:10).

Too many Americans have become obsessed with the idea of getting rich. Get-rich-quick schemes abound, and I can't even begin to recount the number of times some scam has come across my computer or telephone. I see "Christian" men and women working through church services in a effort to make more money and own more things. I even had a Christian friend whose goal in life was to become a millionaire. Do they not realize they've let material things become their gods?

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

The most precious treasure of all is free for the asking - freedom from sin and guilt - not because we are good or that we will ever be perfect while in this world, but because our Savior is. He traded our sinfulness for his righteousness on the cross, so all we have to do is accept Him. Then we are headed for an eternity in Paradise with Him; can give Him all our burdens; are able to turn to Him for guidance; and live a blessed life because of His love, grace, and mercy. Nothing will ever come close to being as valuable.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21).

It is all too easy to get on a worldly highway before we realize it, and Satan is all too eager to direct us there. But it is also easy to get back where we need to be once we realize it. All we need to do is ask our Lord for help and guidance. Once we realize there's a problem, we can put our focus on what is really important. You see, material things in themselves are not the problem. God will even bless us in that way at times. However, valuing anything more than God is terribly wrong, and therein lies the trap. Take a serious look at what is most important to you. Does your life's choices reflect how much you value the things of faith? If not, drop to your knees and make the needed changes today. Nothing is more important.

Sell that ye have and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth (Luke 12:33-34).  

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