Recently we helped some friends move. Because their new location is just temporary, many of their belongings were put in storage. They are sort of “camping out”; where they live is not their permanent home.
The Lord wants believers to be constantly aware that earth is not our final home either. We are like the project manager who relocates for a large construction job: he works hard there to get the job done right, but he always remembers it is temporary, not home.
Because our earthly stay is temporary, to be effective for the Lord we must understand the need to live unencumbered and to put things in storage. Jesus said it this way: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust will ruin them and where thieves can break through and steal. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can ruin, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
While interacting with Christians throughout the nation, it has become evident to me that many of us have all but forgotten that our stay here is temporary. Storing up eternal treasure is not foremost in most believers’ minds anymore. But it is a concept we must return to.
What treasure are we to store in heaven? The answer is at least two-fold – our material goods and people. When my friends prepared for their move, they did not simply throw things in boxes. The items were packed carefully, with thought. We need to do the same – thoughtfully winning people to Jesus, then intentionally discipling them so that they become rooted in Christ. Thoughtfully using our finances to advance God’s Kingdom, rather than indulging every whim for a momentary thrill, is critically important.
I wonder how much soul-winning Kingdom building has gone undone because the desire for the latest iPod overcame the commitment to tithing. I wonder how many offerings Holy Spirit prompted hearts for, but because of the pamper-self-first mentality, He was ignored. I wonder how many of us have not stored up either souls or material treasure in heaven, because we have forgotten that life here is temporary.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. – Colossians 3:2
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