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Pearls of the Kingdom 6/28/23
This past Sunday I opened the first service with this one verse from Matthew’s Gospel.
Matt 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
As with many passages of scripture it is always good read what is found before and after. Looking back consider these words from verses 19-20.
Matt 6:19-20 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
From this passage can we agree there are two treasures mentioned?
Treasures on Earth
Treasures in Heaven
For this week can we set our focus on earthly treasure? One must consider the time and day when Jesus shared this. We must look at what “items” were thought of as costly (valuable) and demonstrated that a person had wealth.
One such item was clothing. The type of material used could be very costly (fine linens). Perhaps precious stones, rubies, gems or metals like silver and gold were added to the clothing that made them costly. We find here that no matter how fine or costly this clothing was, something as small as a moth could destroy it. We also learn that thieves could also steal it.
Others may have possessed great treasure in their precious vessels made of tin, brass, copper, silver and gold. These fine metals are subject to the “elements”. Elements found in the air that can corrode and destroy these costly metals through corrosion (rust). If you live in New York State you understand how rust eats away at the metal of your car. How easily rust decreases the value of your car especially when you look to trade it in. Once again, we learn that thieves can easily steal these costly treasures.
What this speaks to me is just how perishable earthly possessions and wealth are. How quickly they can be lost, stolen and lose their value. The challenge for me today, I must ask myself, “Where is my treasure(s) found?” Once I answer this question, I will know where my heart is also found.
We have but scratched the surface today. Take some time and look at this passage. Study this further on your own. See what the Holy Spirit reveals to you. He likes to talk to us if we will but only listen. Give us ears to hear!
Pastor Jeff