From Ben – 15 August 2021
This week I have been deeply challenged as I have spent hours studying and preparing for the Sunday message on “Treasures in heaven.”
As I have wrestled with the teaching of scripture, it has challenged my own heart and life on 2 levels. Firstly, I have had to ask myself to what extent have I become materialistic? Have I allowed the philosophy of the world’s constant call to possess more, bigger and better to draw me into its sticky web? It is a sobering exercise to ask yourself if you have surreptitiously been drawn into believing that possessions are what gives us value.
The 2nd challenge to me has been less confronting, but equally important. That is the challenge to store up treasure in heaven, where rust and moth do not destroy nor do thieves break in and steal.
In the Sermon on the mount chapter 6, the Lord does not specify exactly what that activity is that leads to treasure in heaven, yet as I considered other parts of scripture it quickly became apparent that heavenly treasure flows from serving others, giving to others, helping the less fortunate in Jesus’ name and above all, sharing Christ and the gospel of grace with those who do not yet know Him.
The question I have been left asking myself is “What is my heavenly bank balance at this time and what do I need to do to improve my investment?”