LAYING UP TREASURES

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed. Because they recognise their "impoverished spirits" they are motivated to respond to Christ's call to follow Him. This is in sharp contrast to the rich young man in Matthew 19 who could not recognise that he would be poverty-stricken without Christ. When he asked Jesus how to find eternal life, Christ challenged him to do one more thing: "…go, sell your possessions and give to the poor… then come, follow Me." (Matt. 19:21). Sadly, he was unwilling to follow Christ if it meant parting with his possessions. Material possessions were the very basis of this young man's security. He failed to understand that he would be far more secure if he followed Jesus with all his heart (Matt. 6:33). Jesus did not call us to absolute poverty and He does not call all of us to sell all and give it to the poor. He does demand however, that we do not regard wealth as our reason for living but that we live for Christ alone. Jesus knew that the love of wealth is very dangerous because it prevents us from making a total commitment to Christ. We need to understand that money and possessions provide a false security. Our focus should be on God and His righteousness. Jesus warns against making wealth the purpose of our lives. Laying up treasures on earth is an insecure investment and although Jesus never said that it is wrong to accumulate wealth, He encouraged His disciples to store up treasures in heaven. Our focus should always be on eternal values. Possessions may capture the heart but they cannot nourish the soul. If we make wealth the focus of our lives it will only result in deep discontent. Jesus warns us about this. He calls us to abandon all things for Him and to commit all things to Him. He pointed out that there is no such thing as lasting material security. Christ assured us in Matthew 6:25-34 that if we serve God in full devotion, with our entire will and all of our resources, He would provide us with all we would ever need in this life! - Now, August 2010