By: Juliet Constantine
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." (Matthew 6:19)
Houses, vehicles, money in the bank, investments, and people have all been classified as possessions – some of which are treasured on this Earth. What treasures do you possess? Where I am from, people place much emphasis on acquiring a home of their own. You are considered to have achieved when you have your own home because it’s a more stable investment than a motor vehicle; plus, there is a sense of pride and satisfaction. Luxurious, or not so luxurious, homes are built on plains, tucked away in a hillside, or perched on top of mountains.
Much money is spent on enhancement and upgrades to make them livable, safe, and (in many cases) a show stopper. In most instances, bars of iron, called grills (used as a crime fighting measure), are placed at windows, doors, or any section that could be used as an entrance or exit. So, the feeling of satisfaction is great, and the pride that goes into maintaining and preserving most homes is admirable. Yet, in-spite-of all the efforts put into creating and maintaining these treasures, and others, thieves still break through and steal; moth and rust still corrupts. No matter how luxurious or not they are, if left uncared for, they will become a ‘sore eye’ in no time.
Additionally, we are told that everything on earth will be burnt up. Still, God’s children spend thousands of dollars to create fuel for the fire instead of investing most of it in heavenly treasures. Not even your money is safe from the fingers of kleptomaniacs. They are everywhere, in persons or in policies. No wonder King Solomon concluded, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
There is always a more excellent way. Jesus instructed us to “Lay up treasures in Heaven.” Heavenly treasures do not consist of banking your money in church, expecting to have many dollars to spend when you get to Heaven. Many would like you to think that the more you give, the bigger your mansion will be. But this is not so. We lay up treasurers in Heaven by investing our time, talent, and money in God’s work of transforming characters for eternity. As we seek to be co-laborers with God, we help to mold characters for eternity. We first allow the word of God to transform our lives and characters; in turn, we seek to do the same for others. No one can steal transformed characters, nor will they ever decay. On the contrary, these characters continue to transform others, and still others.
“This is the treasure for which Christ bids us labor. Character is the great harvest of life. And every word or deed that through the grace of Christ shall kindle in one soul an impulse that reaches heavenward, every effort that tends to the formation of a Christlike character, is laying up treasure in heaven.”
“And at the final day, when the wealth of earth shall perish, he who has laid up treasure in heaven will behold that which his life has gained. If we have given heed to the words of Christ, then, as we gather around the great white throne, we shall see souls who have been saved through our agency, and shall know that one has saved others, and these still others--a large company brought into the haven of rest as the result of our labors, there to lay their crowns at Jesus' feet, and praise Him through the ceaseless ages of eternity.” (EGW TFMB pg90)
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of being co-laborers for the transformation of characters for our Kingdom. Please help us seek to store heavenly treasures that will give us more returns. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
