Treasuring Your Treasures

If God clothes the flowers with beauty, why do we think that He does not care enough to provide us the basic clothes that we need? The Greek word that Jesus uses for “lilies” and “grass” are words that probably include many other plants. The Greek word for “clothed” has the idea of being “wrapped around or covered up.” That is, God clothes even the plants. He also clothes birds with exquisite arrays of feathers, mammals with colorful, exotic fur, and salt water fish with beauty and elegance. If God does that for His creation, He will do the same for us. So, . . .

Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?” (NASB) Matt. 6:31

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (NASB) Matt. 6:32

Whether we are Christians or non-Christians, most of us worry. We worry about having a job. We worry about the money that will be left at the end of the month.

What do you worry about? Is it food, water, and clothes, or the stock market and some of your treasures? Sometimes we forget the difference between basic needs and our wants. The following illustration will make the point.

In Hollywood, California, in the United States of America, there is an exclusive school attended by children of movie stars, producers, and directors. The children come from very wealthy families. When asked to write an essay on the subject of poverty, one little girl started her composition: “Once there was a poor little girl. Her father was poor, her mother was poor, her governess was poor, her chauffeur was poor, [and] her butler was poor. In fact, everybody in the house was very, very poor.

Are you worried about your treasures or your basic needs? God has promised to meet your basic needs. God wants you to be willing to give away your treasures. If you are willing to give away your treasures, then you will know whom you really love.

Conclusion. What is your true treasure? Is it God? Is your heart’s desire earthly treasure? If so, Jesus tells us to get our hearts on the correct path.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NASB) Matt. 6:33-34

The solution to a wrong heart’s desire is to seek God. God wants us to seek Him more than the things He gives us. He wants us to desire to be holy just like Himself. If we seek Him with all our heart, He has promised to not only give us our basic needs, but to give us beyond our wants and desires. The Greek word that is translated as “added” in Matt. 6:33 is ZATEO. It means “super added.” That is, God will give you more than your basic needs. He will richly bless you, but not necessarily make you wealthy.

Each one of us is faced with a decision. We must ask ourselves, “What are my desires? What are my treasures? Am I worrying about the basics of life? Do I have something that I would not give away if God asked me to give it away?” Your answers will reveal if you are treasuring His gifts and ignoring the Provider. Your answers will reveal if you are trusting God. You will discover how much you are focused on God.

Jesus calls us to seek or treasure His kingdom. If we will, God will give us more than our basic needs. And the cure to treasuring the things He gives us is to always seek Him. The cure to treasuring things is to seek something different - treasuring Jesus Christ!