(Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I perceive that some Sins can be endemic in specific cultures.  In contrast to the "rich and famous" of our world, we may not think of ourselves as materially rich, but by the standards of the entire world, and certainly by the standard of Jesus' day we are. As American Christians we live in a culture that emphasizes materialism and we are thus prone to this sin.  But much like the man Jesus described who was blind to the plank in his eye we may well be blind to this sin in our own lives and in our churches.  Whenever by His mercy God reveals sin to us, it is not merely so we will be enlightened to it.  It is so through faith in Jesus Christ we will repent and change, for His honor and glory!

Luke 18 provides an example of someone who would not repent, even after Jesus pointed out this sin.  The rich young ruler treasured Jesus to an extent, but he treasured material riches more.  When Jesus confronted him on this the Bible says he didn't receive it.  Instead (18:23), "he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth".

In sharp contrast the next chapter in Luke tells a story of another man who met Jesus.  Before meeting Jesus this man was self-focused and materialistic.  But when he met Jesus he came to love and treasure Jesus above all.  The change was remarkable and evident (19:8) "Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look Lord!  Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount!"

Which of these two men would you rather be on judgment day: The man who stored up many treasures on earth or the man who treasured Jesus most and thus stored up treasures in heaven?  Jesus instructs us to demonstrate now on this side of eternity where our treasures really are.  Is that what we are doing? 

If by God's grace your heart is stirred by this point, I want to commend a book to you that has challenged me greatly, and that may well prune you for greater faithfulness and fruitfulness.  It's called "Radical - Taking back your faith from the American Dream" by David Platt.

Steve Gammon,

Conferenece Minister