Scripture:
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
[19] “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Observation:
Reading this scripture this morning, I thought about the rich young ruler who approached Jesus trying to find out what he had to do to inherit eternal life. The response that was given by Jesus made the young man sad. Sale all you have and give the proceeds to the poor. The statement Jesus made exposed the heart of the young man. His heart was tied to his possessions. As I thought about this scripture and what the LORD Jesus was saying. I had to look over my life and ask where my heart was out. Am I putting my treasures in heaven? Or am I tied to them here on earth? I believe that what Jesus Christ is saying is that when you invest in people, you are depositing your riches in heaven. Where nothing is destroyed, and no one can steal it. When I think about the rich young ruler. I remember how that story ended. He walked away, not receiving what he had asked for because his heart was tied to the things of this earth. Notice that Jesus says where your treasure is there, and your heart will be also.
Application:
I want my heart to be in heaven. I’m a little odd to most people. I don’t care about stuff. I care about you. Where you spend eternity is more important to me than anything that I have. Jesus has possession of my heart. I know that some of you have heard my story about the motorcycle I had years ago that got stolen from me. For me, that was a hard lesson. That motorcycle had a hold on my heart. So much so that I was willing to think about taking someone’s life over it. Someone that GOD had created. I want to make this clear. For that person to steal that motorcycle was not right… but who was more wrong? Him ( the guy who stole it ) or me? For thinking his life had less value than something that is just going to rust. Just like the rich young ruler… my heart was tied to the things of this world. GOD exposed that, and it changed things for me. I know today there is not one thing that I have that is more important than you. I honestly don’t care what it is. I want to invest in you. I want to show you that you matter. Yes, I still have stuff. But I would give it all away if it meant that you would come to know Jesus. My heart is not tied to any possession I have. It’s tied to the kingdom. Nothing can steal it from there. Investing in people is where it’s at. It leads to some broken hearts at times. When they just don’t get it. But when they do. it’s absolutely amazing. I’m not saying that having stuff is bad. So please don’t get me wrong. But if your stuff has you. There is a problem. The relationships in my life today are more valuable than anything I own. The older I get, the more that sticks out to me. I’m here today to tell you that you matter to me. GOD made you, HE has a plan for you, and nothing you own here on earth can go with you to the next life. So make absolutely sure GOD has your heart.
Prayer:
Father, we don’t want to be stuck on stuff. Sure, it’s nice to have things, but we do you want to put those things above you. Our heart is yours. Help us to always be focused on storing up our treasure in your kingdom. We can’t take it with us, and I have honestly never seen a funeral procession followed by a Uhaul. Help us to keep in perspective what is important. The people you put next to you in life are what matters. We want to love like you love. Help us to do so. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.