TREASURES IN HEAVEN: You CAN Take it with you!

 

In the news recently there has been a buzz about a well-known reality star that was allegedly robbed at gunpoint in Paris.  The thought of being robbed is scary, and it could have gone any kind of way.  Many have found it humorous due to the fact they think perhaps it is another publicity stunt, or maybe an insurance scam. Some even figure she deserves it because of the amount of jewelry she had on her.  The things we say about others…..says more about us.

Regardless to whether or not it happened, you can’t help but realize, that even with all that security, none of us are exempt from this world’s drama.  Jewelry worth so much are now gone.  Maybe never to be recovered again.  For us, the question is , "How can we protect our treasures?" 

 

“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

TAKE IT WITH ME!

 

"A dying man made his sobbing wife promise that she would place all of his earthly treasures in his casket when he died.  They talked about how she would live without him, and whether or not it would benefit him in heaven.  He was adamant, so, after some time, she agreed and promised. He died knowing that his wife would do what she said she would do.  At his funeral, before they closed the casket for the last time, she lovingly kissed him on his forehead, and placed a check in the total amount of his estate and holdings in his jacket pocket…..just like she promised." 

DEFINING TRUE TREASURE

 

What is the ‘treasure’ we are talking about?  We know if you place jewels or money in a casket today, there is a great chance it will not make it in the ground.  My mother always wore rings on her fingers.  Really nice rings, so when she passed away, my sister purchased an inexpensive ring, that looked expensive to place on her finger.  Before leaving the funeral home, the director came to me and said.  “There is a ring on your mother’s finger; don’t you want to remove it?”  I simply told him, “No,  it is inexpensive and we got it just for this.”  We knew that someone might take it, but it was our simple way of honoring her one last time.  So we left it there.  Not everyone plans like that.  Some have placed jewelry in coffins with their loved ones, only to find the items had been stolen.

 

But the bible does tell us to store our treasures in heaven, so if we CAN take it with us, what is this treasure and how do we get it there?

 

 

HEARTS FULL OF TREASURE!

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.       Luke 6:45

Did you know that your heart holds treasure according to God’s word?  That means all of our hearts are equipped to store treasure.   Your treasure is seen in how you interact and talk to others.  How we admonish and consider others.  How we encourage and pray for others.  This is treasure! 

 

TRASH TO TREASURE?

What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth,  that is what defiles them.”         Matthew 15:11   

Good and Evil.  These are two things that will follow us into eternity.  There is good treasure and evil treasure.  When we choose to speak good and to do good towards people -that is good treasure.  When we do good things, and say good things from our heart, it is good treasure.   That is all you will take with you.  The deeds done to bless someone in this earth.  Not the gold, pearls or costly clothing.  The deeper part of YOU.

When something happens in this world, your comments, social media posts say more about you than it does those you talk about. Life happens every day, and if we are not careful, we can switch from good treasure to evil treasure in a moment.  Our comments on a news story that has us upset, the alleged theft in Paris, our political candidates, the person on your job that irritates you, someone you fell out of relationship with- all of these things may be challenging to watch, but your words say more about you than those you speak of.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.               Ephesians 4:29

 

The day will come when each of us will leave this earth.  It won’t matter what people put in our coffin, or where they sprinkle our ashes.  Our bags will be packed and we will be gone.  Ready or not.  

Our bags will hold treasures from our heart, whether good or bad.  It won’t be full of jewelry, or money, no stocks or bonds, no dollar bills.  But it will be filled with the words we have said to others, and the deeds we have done towards others.  It may not seem like much today, the simple act of kindness, the prayer for someone distraught, or helping someone in the store.  It might not seem that important today, when you give way to a driver who is in a greater rush than you are, or you take time to console a frustrated parent with an irritated toddler.  All these things done from our heart produce treasure.  Treasure that we take with us into eternity.   

So be aware of what  you pack!