Our Greatest Treasure

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

Treasures in Heaven

"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.

  

What do you Treasure?

What do we treasure most in life? Our stuff, our families, our money, our God? I think it is important

that we ask ourselves this question and take an honest look to see if our priorities are in the right place.  

Treasures are things we value so let's begin to evaluate where we spend most of our time, where we us our money, resources, gifts and talents. Most of all where are we investing our heart? As followers of Jesus, our priority scale of the things we value should have our relationship with God at the top of the list.  We owe God our lives, He is our creator, our Lord and Savior, and deserves to be our number one priority. 

Let’s take a look at what the Bible says our attitude should be toward the most important 

things we consider to be our priorities.

1. God

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,

holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Mark 12:30 NIV 
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and 

with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:13 NIV

Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV  

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must 

believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2. Family & Friends

Galatians 5:14 NIV
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 12:9-10 NIV

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in 

brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:14 - 20 NIV

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine 

to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:    "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Timothy 5:8 NASB

 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

3. Ministry

Philippians 1:6 AMP

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

Romans 12:11 NIV

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12:12-13 NIV

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Hebrews 13:17 NIV 
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV 
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Romans 12:2 New International Version 1984

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version 1984  

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version 1984

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

4. Job

Colossians 3:23 NIV 
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Here are some things that reflect the heart of a follower of Jesus. They are the

treasures followers should value, and therefore want to maintain in daily life.

• Spending time with God in prayer and studying His Word

• Having a desire to be obedient to God – striving to live a holy life

• Helping others

• Giving our time, talent, gifts and resources to our Church

• Sharing the Gospel, our personal story of faith

• Worshiping God daily by the way we live our lives – being Christ-like

For followers of Jesus, Treasure should not be the material stuff we own or the amount of money we have

in the bank. Treasure should be what we hold dear to our hearts as a result of God’s incredible provision and grace. If our treasure is just the value of our financial assets, what we own, or our status in life, God will certainly slip to second place or even further down the priority list. The Bible teaches that we cannot serve two masters.

Matthew 6:24 NIV 
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Take some time this week to answer these questions to get an honest perspective on where your heart is at.

• What do you treasure?
• What is your number one priority?
• Who or What is the object of your faith?
• Who or What do you trust most to guide your life?

God created us to have a personal relationship with Him. This relationship is guaranteed everlasting and is more precious than any earthly treasure. 

So this Christmas think about more than just the gifts you will be giving and getting. Think about the gift you have already received from our Heavenly Father. You see, Christmas is more than just a Holiday, it represents real hope through the Birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. God sent Jesus to rescue us from our sin, our blindness and captivity  tied to this broken and fallen world.  With Jesus as our main focus, we can celebrate all else that the Christmas Holiday brings our way with the right perspective.

Remember this: Our God loves us and is trustworthy to always keep His promises. 

John 3:16-17 NIV

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Challenge: let us all consider God our greatest treasure, and our greatest priority.

Just Sayin……………..Dave