Did you know there is more buried treasures in the area in and around Jerusalem than anywhere else in the world? Interestingly, much of it is from around the era of Jesus. It was a time when money (coins) was new and of course there were no banks. Thus, it was common to hide and bury your money and other treasures.
Sometimes treasure can lead to more problems than it solves. Money and other treasure make a good servant, but a harsh and over-bearing master. Some examples of things people consider "treasure" are: money, land, cars, jobs, free time, and other material items. God is not against treasure. However, how you and I view treasure is of much concern to Jesus. Jesus taught more about money than almost any other subject, including heaven or hell. He knew that treasure and the love of treasure could be a big distraction and competition for our heart, our attention and our entire life.
INVITATION: We just wrapped up an entire series on King Saul. We saw how he didn't submit ALL things to God. He gave God many things, but held things back. This is dangerous territory and many of us get extremely territorial when it comes to our "our hard earned money." What about in your life and heart? Are you holding any "treasures" back from God? Could it be in the area of money? To be clear: this is not a teaching about giving more to Rockhills Church (or anywhere else). It is about allowing God to "search you and know your heart" as is written in Psalm 139. Will you open you heart, mind and soul and be honest with God this week?
MONDAY: 2 Cor. 8:1-5: God's grace flowed when people held treasures loosely even during what is called "severe trial." They continued to show "rich generosity" in spite of their dire circumstances. Have you ever given to others during a tight time or some other time that could be called a "severe trial?" If not, why not? If so, how did you see God's faithfulness in that situation?
TUESDAY: Matthew 6:19-20: WHERE ARE YOU STORING? Is your treasure a tool or is a stronghold in your life?
WEDNESDAY: Luke 12:33: Yesterday's verse instructed us to store up treasures in heaven. How does that work? This verse answers that question and makes it clear we are called to not be afraid about giving things away. That includes treasures, not just our throwaway items and other "junk". Do you sense a spirit of fear in your life about money and other treasures? If you are brutally honest, where is YOUR heart regarding treasures? How might you pray about that today? God will walk with you on the journey, you don't have to figure it all out in the next 30 minutes. Will you trust Him and take Him at His word?
THURSDAY: Matthew 6:21-23: WHERE ARE YOU STARING? The eye is the "lamp of the body." Where are your eyes focused?
FRIDAY: Matthew 6:24: WHO ARE YOU SERVING? What are you focused on as "master" of your life? We easily fix our eyes and heart on things we think will satisfy. Often the things of God seem counter-intuitive and counter-cultural. Where are your eyes, and heart, and treasure, focused today? Do you have things, or do your things have you?
SATURDAY: Matthew 16:26: It is ALL God's. Everything you have "earned" bought, acquired, inherited are all from God. What can you turn over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ today? Oswald Chambers said: "Individuality is the husk of the personal life. Individuality is all elbows, it separates and isolates....but individuality must go in order that the personal life may come out and be brought into fellowship with God...God wants to bring you into union with himself, but unless you are willing to give up your right to deny yourself he cannot. 'Let him deny himself' - deny his independent right to himself, then the real life has a chance to grow." How do you feel about giving up your individuality for the sake of Jesus Christ?