For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)
How blessed we are to live in a nation that encourages its citizens far and wide: to dream big, to go for the gusto, reach your goals and live the “American Dream”. What a privilege to have access to Ivy League Universities, job opportunities at Fortune 500 companies and an abundant supply of just about anything one could imagine. Everyone has the potential to become the most notorious “Stuff Junky” to have ever lived; but then what?
What exactly does it mean to live the American Dream, the European Dream or even Asian Dream? Could the sum of our lives really be measured by whoever dies with the most toys win? If so, how can one rest in peace knowing all they’ve laid up for themselves during their life span is probably being squandered by some unruly - undeserving child. What was intended to be left as a lasting legacy of success, is now being fought over in probate court, or is left in desolation as a symbol of futility and giving way to the effect of moths, rust and decay.
Since we are Kingdom citizens living temporarily in a society that measures success by the abundance of things one collects and stores, we should make a practice of giving ourselves what I call an “eternity check”. Conducting an eternity check is to remind ourselves of what true treasure is and where we should store it. It’s quite easy to get sucked into the vortex of materialism, fame and excess that we are bombarded with through one media outlet or the other. However, we must remind ourselves that it’s not just a success thing, but it’s a heart thing. God desires our hearts.
Matthew 6:21 says “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. In this passage of scripture, Jesus gives a lesson on storing up treasure that will follow us throughout eternity. He teaches that we should set our heart’s desire on rewards and treasure that would yield more than just momentary euphoria which quickly fades. Thereafter, we are only left with the option of getting back on the treadmill of success, in order to achieve yet another temporal prize to recreate that euphoric experience again and again, and again.
Integrating an eternity check into the daily routine of life will keep us ahead of the game. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus gave us key areas to use in our eternity check:
•Giving – don’t give to receive recognition from men but from God
•Prayer – don’t pray so men can applaud you, but so that God will hear and answer you
•Forgiveness – don’t hold grudges against those who wrong you
•Fasting – don’t do your spiritual acts out of a hypocritical heart
•Eternal treasure – accumulate such things as would yield eternal value
•Anxiety - trust in God’s faithfulness to meet your needs
After attending to these key areas and others, Jesus surmises His lesson with this thought found in verse 33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Conducting our eternity checks with Matthew 6:33 in mind, we will be free to really live the life God intended from the beginning.
We have all the tools for success we need built within us, we must simply remind ourselves that we’re just passing through, and we must focus our attention on true Kingdom living. For the kingdom of God is not meat or drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)
Pray with me
My Father and King, thank You for opening my eyes to see the truth of Your kingdom. Help me to keep my focus on You and to align myself with Your ultimate desire; the treasure that is my heart of love for You. Teach me to store up treasure in heaven where no corruption is, in Jesus name. Amen.
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