Devotional

“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.” Matthew 6:19-21

What treasures are we storing and where? Treasure is not something we apply to necessities, but something in excess of our needs. We may save up for a hobby, a vacation, or upgrade our car or house. We may even invest long and hard hours to achieve these goals. However, things of this world are temporary. You cannot take them with you when you die. The very things we hold onto will be passed on to someone else and so on until the very things themselves perish. If we invest a lot of time and effort into things of this world, the return you may get will also be temporary.

Jesus says store up treasures in heaven, where no one can touch it. Invest in relationships, love God and love others. Develop godly character. Unlike treasures on earth, we can take these into heaven with us. We don’t know what these heavenly treasures are, but we know it has to be good coming from the Father of Light. Remember we are citizens of heaven. It doesn’t make sense if we focus on temporary satisfactions that will ultimately disappear. Friendship with the world means enmity with God. We know where our hearts should be. They should be with Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, I confess. I often feel entitled to my treasure, to the gifts you give from above. I do not stop to consider their source and to whom I should express my gratitude. It is You, Lord. And I deserve none of what you give, yet you give freely and without reservation. And so I return to you what you have endowed on me in full recognition of your benevolence and in gratitude of your unlimited grace in my life. Freely I have received and freely I give. May the desires of my heart align with your kingdom mission and may I take the greatest of delights in You.

Scripture Memorization

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Graves Into Gardens – Brandon Lake

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs