Christians:Where is your treasure?

Jesus said: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures here on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break through and steal;

"but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21.

Those are surely prophetic words from Jesus to (despite the economic situation) the still-rich western world today. Some of us need a divorce from our credit card. The million-dollar question: Is our heart in God's kingdom or is it in material goods?

It´s not easy for believers to resist the media´s daily assault on our minds. They persuade us to buy the latest gadget. They subtly suggest that without such things we´re not a "success": that life isn´t complete unless we have a home entertainment theatre and a yearly trip to Europe.

The Bible tells us not to conform with the world (Romans 12:2), and to be content with what we have (1 Timothy 6:8-9). God knows our every need and He will supply it if we have a heart toward Him.

Sometimes on "Christian" TV we hear "Run to the phone now, send us $100 and God will turn it into $1000." He may well do that, but only if our motive and attitude is right. The scripture tells us God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). It doesn't say an avaricious giver!

If our heart is in temporary worldly treasures, we must remember there are no pockets in a shroud, and dollar bills in a coffin are useless to the departed. One Timothy 6:7 tells us we can take nothing out of this world.

Sir John Paul Getty was one of the world's richest men, but was surely not one of the happiest. In his earlier years he had to cope with drug problems and depression, and died aged 70 after several illnesses. To his credit he gave away much of his money, but wealth didn't automatically give him a fulfilled life.

So it's wise to resist seeking after financial stardom and set our sights on what is eternal. There is no greater investment for our soul and spirit than to trust in the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

Our treasure is not found in a suitcase full of dollars but in seeking God, doing His will, furthering His cause, not our own. Is our total trust right now in the One who holds the future?