Treasure

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he posesses.” Luke 12:15

How often do we look with envy at people who “have it all” according to the world’s standards? Wealth, money, fame…all the worldly posessions they desire, it seems, are right there at their fingertips. Yet what they truly seek: peace, joy, love and salvation elude them because their treasures are in earthly things and their lives are miserable. The world tells us we should strive to be one of these people. But is this what we really want?

Now consider those who are “poor” according to the world’s standards. They have little money, no fancy homes and their names are not well known. They are missionaries in far away lands. They are Christians being persecuted in foreign countries and they are people all around who put God and others before themselves. How can these men, women and children be so happy when they have so little and so many of them are suffering? It is because they have so much more than we can see in this present life. Their treasure is not here where it will rust, fade or be taken away. No, their treasure is in Heaven where it can never be destroyed or taken away. It is an eternal treasure, given by the the eternal, loving Father, God.

Now which treasure will we strive for? Will we covet the things of this world that do not last and bring more misery than they are worth or do we store up our treasures in Heaven that truly bring about abundant life? The choice is yours.

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When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 Dr. Ray Pritchard cited this passage from Deuteronomy in a recent blog post titled, "Writing the Bible can be Good for Your Soul". The whole article is interesting and thought provoking but don't take my word for it read it for yourself at:http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/pritchard/11581909/. After reading this article i felt convicted to take up the practice of writing through the Bible myself. Unsure of where to start, i started at the beginning...the book of Genesis. However, after three days of writing and still not getting past chapter 1 i began to wonder if i had made the right choice. Then i started a new Bible study and right off the bat we are talking about how we use our tongues. Talk about conviction! Immediately we are taken to James 3:8-10: "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so." Then the sermon on Sunday night was on the ninth Commandment: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." The third chapter of James was once again referenced at this time. With all this talk about talk i am thinking God is really wanting me to think long and hard about the way i talk. And it is with this in mind that i am starting over tomorrow in my Bible writing. And where will i begin this time? Why, James 3, of course. And from there, wherever He leads me. You see, in my perfectionist thinking i believed i had to write it all in perfect order but my perfect Father seems to have another plan. This should be interesting. I will keep you all posted but before i go i feel led to end with this: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34 Good night all!