WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
We returned from Ireland recently encouraged and grateful to Jesus that He has linked our hearts to such good friends.
A constant challenge for me is to be an encourager in both word and deed. People are in need of encouragement and an action on our part can bring life and blessing to those around us. The Book reminds us to “encourage one another daily” and we desire to walk in that each day.
In the thoughts of most people is the awareness of the global financial crisis and the consequences it has on our society. Whether we see it as ‘institutional greed’ or ‘bad management’ our calling is to be light and salt in a world that is fast spiralling out of control. This scenario will certainly provide opportunities to encourage others.
FINANCIAL CRISIS
This financial crisis may well be a day of opportunity to be sharing Jesus in a world that is out of control and without hope! – “…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. In which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life “
Linked to these challenges is a very important question that we need to ask ourselves – Where is our treasure? Many have lost serious financial wealth in this crisis. However, a friend of ours stated that they had nothing and so have lost nothing! The more we have the more we need to protect. And, as Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Storing up treasure in heaven is linked to walking in the good works that God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in. Our friend Colin in Ireland asked the question. “How do we store up treasure in heaven?” I flicked through some of these scriptures and emailed them to him. They make interesting reading.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of life that is truly life.” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Jesus answered, ?If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” – Matthew 19:21
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Luke 12:32,33.
This is one aspect of the process and it would be good to hear from others about this…