Good morning. Great is His faithfulness.
"TOO FOCUSED ON POSSESSIONS?"
"True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not from wealth in the hand.
WARREN WIERSBE
Matthew 6:19-21
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
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.
When we attach ourselves to TREAURES ON EARTH, we risk cutting ourselves off from the heavenly treasures. By choosing the earthly treaures they enslave us rather than us being free in Christ. The heart of true discipleship lies in disentangling ourselves from the chains of earthly things, and attaching ourselves to God, the TRUE TREASURE - (v. 21).
see vv. 25-27 - There Jesus is warning against anxiety, but not against thoughtful planning, there is a difference between planning and thoughtfulness of helping others, than by having anxiety and worrying, and than not to help others by fear or even selfishness. Our physical wellbeing is totally dependent on God, and only indirectly on FOOD, DRINK, AND CLOTHING. Anxiety over earthly things is showing us what a lack of faith in God looks like.
Mark 8:36-37
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
WHAT WILL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL? It's foolishness for a person to attain all worldly wealth and power. Truth is none of this can redeem a man's fallen soul, nor will ever benefit a person in the life to come.
Additional readings - ( 1 John 2:15; Proverbs 11:28; Luke 12:34; 1Timothy 6:7-8; 3John 1:1-15; and Luke 19:29-40; and Luke 22:7-39)
3John 1:5-8
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [a]and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive[b] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Here is one way to focus on the treaures of heaven rather than silly earthly treasures. We may participate in ministry by giving material help to those with spiritual gifts. The donor becomes a coworker in spiritual things - (see also MATTHEW 10:41).
See my video for the rest of my reflection and the readings and discussions from the devotional.
NUMBERS 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
In Christ love Jared W C
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