Daily Bible Study – Immanuel experience…
LEARN and PRACTICE the WORD of GOD
Preparation for Christmas – December 3
Focus
Returning today with the theme of ‘focus’.
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The meaning of the above Word is that where your treasure is there your focus will be…
Let’s briefly consider few important things that emerge from the three verses above.
1. Definition of treasures?
Treasures define as ‘wealth or riches stored or accumulated, especially in the form of precious metals, money, jewels, or plate.’
Treasures may be tangible or intangible. They can be held in the hand or simply stored in the mind.
A treasure is that upon which you place your affections and attention. It may be your money, possessions, reputation, honor, praise, relationship, degree, or time.
Your treasure is that which you value above other things.
Basically your treasure is your attitude toward your possessions. It is whatever you most eagerly strive to attain. It is that which you most dread to lose.
2. Everyone has treasures
The implication is that everyone has some treasure. The reason Christ did not exclude anyone from the matter of treasures is because treasures consist more in the affections of the heart than in what one can hold in his hands.
3. Jesus not opposed to treasures
Mathew 6:19-20, Jesus said “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.”
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth” means Jesus is not condemning possessions or ownership or even enjoying what God has provided you in life. Nor is He forbidding Christians to save and store up resources for future needs. The Bible commends this practice by using the example of the ant wisely working to gather food for the future. Proverbs 6:6-11 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest”
Treasures are not necessarily evil in themselves. What Jesus was warning against is the improper value that we place on the treasures. It is that which so ties us to the world that we risk losing eternal life. It is our our affection to these things that give treasures wrong values.
4. We should not treasure anything that would not last long
Jesus warned against a preoccupation with anything that can be destroyed. We must not treasure anything that would not last.
This is brought to light by Christ’s reference to moths, rust, and thieves. You see, in Bible times, wealth was stored and measured by how much literal commodities a person owned: garments, grain, and gold or precious metal—all of which good be lost.
You may recall how Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, wanted to make a profit when Naaman was cured of leprosy. So he asked Naaman for a talent of silver and two changes of garments, because that was substantial wealth. 2 Kings 5:22 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.”
The third commodity they put their treasure into was gold or precious metal. But how do you hide it? You might keep it in your house, but a thief could break in and steal it
The point Jesus is making in this verse is that wealth in the human realm is transitory. No matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, you cannot guarantee that you will not lose your possessions.
You can lose your wealth, talents and health overnight. The significant person in your life today (your idol) can dump you tomorrow.
You must recognize earthly treasures in that light. They are transitory and passing
5. The treasure laid up in heaven is imperishable
The kind of treasure to treasure is determined by its ultimate destiny. Notice that Jesus explains only two destinies for our treasures: “on earth” and “in heaven.”
The first one, “treasures on earth,” is centered on the earthly or that which finds its value only in relationship to the world. It points to the transitory, the things that will pass away.
On the other hand,“treasures in heaven” cannot be affected by any act of sin or consequence of the fall. They point to those things that have a lasting value, that transcend the grave and remain forever.
“The treasure laid up in heaven is imperishable. No fire or flood can destroy it, no thief despoil it, no moth or rust corrupt it; for it is in the keeping of God.
The apostle Paul gives a clear explanation of the right kind of treasures in I Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
The way to “lay up treasures in heaven” is to develop Christlike character – “Character is the great harvest of life.
Character development is enhanced by actively spending time in personal devotions—prayer and Bible study—so that we can increase in faith, hope and charity, all of which Paul said “abide” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Finally, “we lay up treasures in heaven” when we actively work towards the salvation of others, so that they too may inherit eternal life.
The interesting thing is that the way to avoid treasuring up treasures upon the earth is to treasure up treasures in heaven by developing a Christlike character, maintaining a personal relationship with Christ through personal devotions, and witnessing.
6. The heart follows the treasure
The most powerful reason that Jesus declares for storing up treasures in heaven is found in verse 21 of Matthew 6. He indicates that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The word “heart” is used for the whole inner man, the core of our total being, the wellspring of all we do.
So when Jesus speaks of “where your treasure is” He means that the whole of our being is wrapped up in our treasures. Our hearts will be upon what we treasure most.
In other words, where we invest our treasure will determine where we set our affections. It is not so much that our treasure follows our hearts as it is that our hearts follow our treasure.
Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Where the treasure is there the value and esteem are, there the love and affection are , that way the desires and pursuits go, thitherward the aims and intents are levelled, and all is done with that in view.
What we value occupies our minds and grips our emotions. It is the theme and content of our conversation.
It consumes our time with planning, day-dreaming, and energy to achieve. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
7. Choose and use your treasures wisely
When Jesus twice urges us to “lay up for yourselves treasures,” the reflexive pronoun (“yourselves”) implies a choice at the personal level. No one can make that choice for another; each one of us has to make it ourselves and be held accountable for it.
There is no room for such excuses as: “I had no choice,” “I was forced against my will,” “I was born that way,” “the devil made me do it,” “my environment or genes made me do it,” and so on.
For the Bible clearly teaches that we were all created as free moral agents and endowed with the power of choice (Josh 24:15; John 14:15; Rev 22:17).
The decisive question is: What treasures are we choosing? Are we making efforts towards developing Christlike character?
“The things we hold dear—our treasures—determine the amount of time, energy, and resources we devote to them. If we value our looks, education, grades, jobs, position, or relationships, those things become number one in our life.
But if we value eternal life, then we shall spend a considerable amount of time with our Lord, lovingly serving Him as we develop His matchless character.”
Finally:-
Character development is the way we treasure treasures in heaven. This message was an invitation to develop characters fit for heaven.
It calls upon us to reconsider our priorities in life. It urges to give up that which is valuable to us (our earthly treasures) for what is most valuable in life “the treasures of heaven.”
Jesus said it best: Mathew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”
Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for this wonder opportunity to praise You, worship You, adore You and love You. Thank for Your great plan about us. Thank You for Your wonderful divine exchange. We believe that Your son Jesus died for us, rose for us and seated at the right hand of His Father for us. My Lord and God Jesus, let us focus You at all the time. Let us stand for Your kingdom without any selfish motives. We want to priorities You as number one in our life. Give us the knowledge, wisdom and understanding to focus and follow You. We pray by the name of Jesus.