Many of us, including myself are constantly, seeking out treasures on earth. We value these treasures and thus we want to keep them. There is the basic need for food, clothing and shelter. Pursuing these things is wise, as we clothe ourselves, remain healthy and seek for a resting place. We work and strive to earn money to provide for ourselves these basic needs.
However, as we continue in life, there are more things we want to possess than these needs. We want to possess a bigger house, or earn more money, or have a more successful career. As we search or attain these treasures, our heart becomes filled with our passion to search for more treasures.
Soon, we are compelled by our hearts to pursue more earthly treasures at the expense of losing the most important treasure of all, Christ's sacrifice for us and God's eternal gift for us all.
As human beings, seeking these things out for ourselves is not only right, but necessary. But Jesus forewarns us to not be tempted to build our treasures on earth. There are temptations we all face as believers that distract us and pull us away from the importance and the satisfaction that we can have in our relationship with God the Father.
The worse outcome of being tempted to search for bigger and better things makes us fall into the thinking of "If only I had that, then I would be all set." We end up seeking to find security and satisfaction in temporary things instead of what we already have in our relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. Both of these temptations want our attention, and both distract us from what truly matters – our relationship with God the Father.
Temporary issues
Obtaining things of value to us on earth may make us happy, but it is only temporary and eventually it fades out. We can lose our jobs, become bankrupt, or lose our love ones to death, but Jesus says to not lay up ourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. In these verses, Jesus makes the comparison between laying up our treasures on earth and in heaven.
On earth, our treasures can be destroyed or stolen. Moths and vermin can eat right through our most expensive fabric, or rot our most extravagant item and thieves can come in the middle of the night to steal, when we are least expecting it. When we store our treasures in heaven, it is everlasting and permanent, where there is no destruction, no breaking in and no stealing.
We find a permanent satisfaction, a permanent joy, not one that is fleeting. It is satisfaction that is strong and pure, being made by the most precious treasure, through Jesus' blood and sacrifice for us.
God always wants us to check our hearts, especially when we pray to our heavenly Father about the treasures that we want. In Proverbs chapter 4 verse 23, it says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." God knows that if we do not guard our hearts, we end up placing our own interests, our own treasures above God.
Our heart is in the centre of us, and is what leads us down many paths. And if I am not careful, my heart will be filled with my own desires, my own selfish treasures rather than Christ. I will lead a self-centred life, instead of a Christ-centred life.
Let us never forget that and may we continue to serve God and not be of this world. For God already says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind": Romans chapter 2 verse 2. God always wants us to put Him first, as God commanded in Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 5, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
God knows our weaknesses and understands our struggles with sin and temptations. That is why God calls us to "fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life…..": 1 Timothy chapter 6 verse 12. God always know where our heart is, and we, including myself should always ask ourselves where our heart is.
If we know that our heart is in Christ, than that is where our treasure will be also, in Christ. Our treasures stored in heaven, our eternal and everlasting life with Christ and our Father is our most precious treasure.
Clarissa Yates is from Singapore but moved to live in Perth, Western Australia in 2008. Clarissa completed a BSc. in Molecular Biology at the University of Western Australia and is now working as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Western Australia, where she is part of a research team studying therapies for lung cancer.
Clarissa Yates previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/clarissa-yates.html