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ay I start by asking, “What is your treasure?” I am not
asking about something that might happen. I am not asking about an Irishman’s
pot of gold at the end of a lucky rainbow. I am asking about the treasure
you already have. Recently a pastor announced that he was driving a very
expensive car, a Rolls Royce, and declared that he owned the pink slip.
He paused and then said, “If you have a problem with that, I just
want you to know that I am the one who is following Jesus.” Another
pastor explaining that Jesus wants us to be rich said that Jesus wore “designer
clothes.” His proof was John 19:2. He missed the fact the purple
robe did not belong to Jesus! Treasure! What is your treasure? Automobiles?
Clothes? A spouse? Your children? Your possessions? Treasure is Jesus’ next
topic.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . . (NASB) Matthew 6:19-24 Treasure up Treasure. During the time Jesus walked this earth, it was
not uncommon for people to bury their treasure in their fields (Matt.
13:44) or in their homes. Some would invest their money in property,
clothes, metals or jewels. These possessions, so carefully acquired,
could easily be destroyed. And that is Jesus’ point. Our English
Bibles record Jesus as saying, “moth and rust” destroy our
treasure but the actual Greek says, “moth and eating away.” Jesus
is talking about anything that destroys our treasure - insects, rot,
and rust.”
Banks did not exist in Jesus day. So treasure was sometimes hid in one’s
home. Since homes were usually made of mud, Jesus adds “and thieves
dig through and steal.” He was referring to thieves who would dig
through the wall of a home in search of treasure.
I have had my home robbed twice. I felt vulnerable even
though my birth certificate was the only treasure stolen. What a funny
word - treasure. It rusts, it can be eaten by insects. It can be stolen.
People fight over it. How can such things be treasure?
Emptiness. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I work so hard?” What
would cause you great pain if it was taken from you? What is your life
all about? Ecclesiastes reminds us what the world really offers us,
“Empty of empties,” says the Preacher, “Empty of empties! All is empty.” Eccl. 1:2 That is our life on this earth according to the wisest man, Solomon,
that has ever lived. Life is a big fat zero! Life is meaningless and
emptiness. Listen to his next statement, |
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| Sermon on the Mount | |||||
