Investing in Treasure

Investing in Treasure.  Matthew 6.19-24

This weekend I attended a memorial service for a prominent individual, a well-loved man in my community who died much too young. Whether officiating or simply attending a funeral, I welcome the opportunity to consider my own mortality—a healthy thing for every breathing soul to do! As I listened to the ‘departed’s’ two adult children speak of their father and the things they have drawn from his life, I thought about what my four children would one day say about me. Once again, I thought about my legacy … hmmm.

These reflective thoughts springboard to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew, concerning where you and I choose to invest our resources: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in 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.”1

We bear in mind that the people to whom Jesus was speaking lived in homes with mud floors, in which they dug holes and buried their treasures—so of course, they were subject to decay or thievery. But then do we really think our banks, 401k’s or real estate are fail-safe storehouses for that which we treasure?! Not so much. Not in today’s ever-changing, unstable economy.

Was Jesus after their money? Nope. He did not want their sense of security to be based on material goods. The material would not last. Notice with me that Jesus did not give a rule on giving, not did he talk about percentages of wealth that ought be given to God. Jesus was not into rules.

Is Jesus after our money today? Nope. And practically speaking, Jesus is keenly aware we must concern ourselves about wages, shelter, food and clothing. However, he cautions us to avoid over preoccupation with material goods. As we have seen, Jesus is after the heart of man. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, he said. So, where is your treasure? When you think of what you could not live without, what comes to mind first? And, to what is your heart and mind devoted?

Years ago, I read a brilliant little treatise on this subject—The Generosity Factor,2 in which an allegory epitomizes the life of a man caught up in chasing after more and more stuff of this life, working long hours, climbing the proverbial ladder of success. In contrast, he met a man who gave of his time, talent, treasure and touch generously. The first of the two men was struck by the joy the second enjoyed, as well as the joy he spread in the lives of others. There is such joy in the generosity that contributes to the eternal kingdom of God rather than sowing to the wind, or sitting on our treasure like a fat hen her chicks.

Looking back again at our Matthew six passage, Jesus shows how materialism has the potential to enslave our hearts, in verses 19-21, our minds in verses 22 and 23, and our very wills in verse 24.

On the other hand, generosity of our time, treasure and talent frees our hearts and mind, particularly when we give to the cause of Christ—giving to those in need and investing in things which will spread the love of God. I think of the couple times a year I see my gardener broadcast grass seeds/fertilizer on my front lawn to see it grow and flourish…it is a great picture of how God can take our little treasure and spread it far and wide for his purposes.

Thinking of my someday funeral, thinking of my legacy, while you think of yours—I submit to you there is no greater legacy than how we have given of ourselves to others and for the sake of God.

And besides, in the talked-about rewards the faithful will receive when Jesus comes for us—just think of the dividends our giving to him will net in Heaven!

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 – Matthew 6.19-20
2 – The Generosity Factor by Ken Blanchard and S. Truett Cathy.