I’ve been preaching through the Sermon on the Mount for the last several months and yesterday we hit the passage that speaks about where your treasure is, there is your heart. It’s a really telling passage because it forces us to check ourselves and so today I ask a question, “Where is your treasure?” It’s really easy to get this question wrong. Many people, especially preachers use this passage to talk about money and giving, and that is rightfully so, but I think there is a bigger principle involved. I think it’s more about investment than it is about money.
Oh, to be sure you can see a lot about your priorities in your checkbook and how we invest our money is important, but I still feel like Jesus is taking this further. I think what He’s really saying to us is…
Don’t waste your life.
It’s true, we only get one and how we invest it matters. I think the overriding principle is we need to invest our lives in what matters most is what will last forever. Consider these words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 3: 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Here’s that that means, if you’re a believer, the foundation of your life is Jesus. This is not something you’ve earned. Heaven is a free gift, based on on thing our belief in Jesus because we are saved by grace and not works. That being said, there is a reward based on what we do in this life. Christ is the foundation we build on in this life, and it is important how we build and what we use to build because the work of this life will be tested with fire. If the life you built in this life, stands the test of fire, you will be rewarded, if not, you’ll still be saved but jut barely and without reward. I think the implication is pretty simple. Invest your life in what will matter forever. God and His Kingdom, i.e. God and people, because those are the only two things that last forever. Let God use you and the gifts and talents He has given you to make an eternal difference in the lives of the people around you. Be faithful and honor God with your life. In that way you will store up real treasure that will last for eternity. Some of us have some pet projects to bag in favor of things that will last.
Where is your treasure?
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