Finding Your Treasure
Is your treasure in the world?
Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Jesus is the treasure of this life and the life to come. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is our all in all. Yet most Christians and all the heathen are looking for their treasure in all the wrong places. I am distressed by a recurring message I have been hearing from God every where I turn. Very few Christians are truly following Jesus; instead the majority are just “religious.” Religious people worship Jesus with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. Their worship is not in truth and in spirit and Jesus told us it would be in vain if we follow “church rules” invented by man. The vast majority of professing Christians are hypocrites and do not know Christ.
Mark 7:6-7 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ” ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’
Before I became a true Christian, my work was my idol and I took great pride in the resulting fortune and recognition. I had a big boat, lived in big houses, took very expensive vacations, pampered myself with the very best and materially lacked for absolutely nothing. I called myself a Christian, even went to church, gave money to charity but I was blind and lost. I was a miserable wretch with an evil heart and if not for the grace of God would still be that way.
The change in me has lead me away from lusting after the things of the world. I don’t watch TV, I don’t use my boat anymore, I don’t like going to social gatherings, I spend a lot less on lavish things and I don’t even want to take vacations anymore. Doing these old things, even if I am just going along with somebody else brings conviction to my spirit. Yet I have not fully given it all up, when friends and family come calling, I frequently go along as I do not want to make waves in the social circles of my life. I need to make a stand and totally come out of the world and not follow the teachings of men that preach peace and prosperity. God does not want us to be rich in terms of worldly things. I want peace in my life, but I am reminded that Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword. Why is it so hard to fully cut the cord to the world? I resist out of fear. I don’t want to blow up my family relationship, and I don’t want to be branded a heretic.
Rich People and Heaven
The words of Jesus spoken about a rich man getting into heaven weigh heavily on my concious. I fear these words but I also take comfort in them for how Jesus concluded the matter.
Matthew 19:21-26 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Hallelujah!!!! A rich man can enter heaven after all but not on his own merit or through his own initiative. The passage continues and the dialog with Peter tells us how the worldly rich make it to heaven.
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Jesus explains to Peter that following Him is what yields the prize of eternal life. We must be willing to lay it all on the line for God, this verse even says to leave our families if that is what He ask of us. Very few Christians are following Christ, they live and act just like the people in the world. Following Christ does not mean you go to a church, act religious or even know Scriptures. Following Christ means to obey the leadings of the Holy Spirit that is in us .
Friends With God or the World?
We must learn to hear and to follow God and not trust in our own flesh or the ways of the world. If we lean on the world and let it direct our paths we are enemies of God.
James 4:4-5 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
When we engage in the same things the non believing Pagans do, we are not following Christ. Peter tells us the world will think we are nuts (strange) when we do not follow their ways and that we will be persecuted for following God.
1 Peter 4:3-4 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
The Apostle John adds more color about loving the things in the world.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Is TV your God? Are you obsessed with your looks or level of fitness? Are you a fanatic of Christ or a sports fanatic? Do you bow to the golf God’s or to the one true living God? Are you a pleasure seeker or a seeker of God? The whole system of religion and “church” for the most part has ensnared the sheep deep into deception and apostasy. Jesus indeed told us that the gate was very narrow and that very few professing believers would enter the gate.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO BE RICH BY WORLDLY MEASURES — GOD WANTS US TO BE RICH BY HEAVENLY MEASURES. WHAT TREASURE ARE WE SEEKING?
Paul gave Timothy some very pointed words about those that pursue worldly riches. Paul continued by commanding those whom God has given worldly riches to use that wealth to promote the Kingdom of God and not a lavish lifestyle. I see all these rich TV and radio evangelists and I know they are false prophets from their lifestyle alone. They are leading many to their deaths and will be held to account on the Last Day.
The False Prosperity Gospel
1 Tim 6:9-10; 17-19 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
The needy of this world are crying out for help yet the majority of Christians are living for themselves, just playing church by giving out of their abundance, not out of a true heart for God. I wrote about this recently in my post Love is Waxing Cold. Jesus spoke about treasures and whom we are to serve. We cannot be focused on money, possessions, comforts and living the high life and be following Jesus. We need to deny ourselves if we “wish” to follow Him.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
The God of many is Money and not the Lord Jesus. They worship Jesus with their lips while worshipping money by their deeds and actions. Do not misunderstand, working to take care of oneself or family and provide for their needs, of shelter, food and clothes is absolutely a God given duty. Even Paul made tents to pay for his upkeep. But the world has become drunk with greed and pursuit of money and America has been the exporter of this wine of fornication throughout the world. I believe the judgment of God comes quickly to judge the nations and the people who partake in this rejection and rebellion against God.
The most popular churches of today teach the so called prosperity gospel. There is no such gospel, this is a counterfeit, from Satan himself to deceive and scatter the sheep away from the true Shepard, the Lord Jesus.
James 2:5-7 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Jesus tells us to pursue His Kingdom and His righteousness and that all things (we really need) will be added unto us. The witnesses to the miracles of the bread and fish multiplication followed after Jesus for self gratification via worldly things. Yet Jesus told them they should be focused on eternal things that He alone gives. Jesus’ words have not passed away and should be the compass of our life today and forevermore.
John 6:25-27 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
Everything belongs to God. He has created all things and has put it into the hands of men as He alone has chosen. God uses wealth as a trial to test His sheep and see who really loves Him. To those that have worldly wealth, they must not use it for ungodly gain and should share liberally the blessings of God that God has provided them for His purposes. The parable of the talents speaks to spiritual gifts as well as financial blessings from God. If we trust in our flesh, those blessings will become curses and it will indeed be more difficult to get into heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
To those that are poor by the worldly standards, you must stand firm, not covet what others have but wait upon the Lord and realize the burden those with money really carry in terms of attaining peace with God. Trust in God and obey Him. Your ability to preach the gospel in season and out of season has tremendous impact and being an active worker in God’s field will lead to a true harvest of righteousness.
Finally consider the transformation of the Apostle Paul. When Paul was Saul, he was a Pharisee big shot and enjoyed a rich life compared to the common man of that time. Paul called those things rubbish, the very things the world values and the apostate church teaches us today to value. The only thing that counts is our relationship with Jesus. We must know Him.
Phil 3:7-9 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Have you paid the cost of discipleship Jesus spoke of? Are you carrying around the weight of an earthly treasure and seeking a life of comfort? Our lives here are just a whisper of time. I pray all Christians will wake up and get rid of the trash in our lives and seek the face of God and a true relationship with Him.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY!
Sister, I hear your voice and know exactly what you are dealing with. I am becoming a hermit and want nothing to do with anything to do with the world. Yet I know I need to stay engaged and trust the Spirit to lead me. I am not 100% there yet and I do not bring condemnation upon myself for it. For example I occassionally watch a football or basketball game. But watching sports, which once had my heart, is no longer an idol or anything that preoccupies my mind. It is focused on Jesus. You are in the world but not of the world, so you cannot escape the fact you are here. Jesus told us to go out INTO the WORLD and preach the gospel and make disciples. Paul said the same thing and makes it clear that we are not to go into hiding to avoid immoral things and people. Another brother just pointed this out to me so I thought I would point it out to you.
1 Cor 5:9-11 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler–not even to eat with such a one.
We are to be refrain from hanging out with people that call themselves Christians yet by their deeds show they are fakes. But we must go into the world to make disciples. Here is another verse Paul gave us in 1 Thess that may help you.
1 Thess 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Seek God and pray for wisdom on this matter. I personally do not beleive becoming a recluse and going into a convent and being like a nun is what God had in mind. We are to be humble yet we cannot honor the commission Jesus gave us if we go hide in a cave. We are the workers in His field. I also think we have special responsibilities to nurture and bring our children up so make sure you are hearing from God on her. Guard your heart and know that trial and temptations will come but we need to get into the game and do the work of God as He call us.
I won’t go look up the verse but you know it, the one that says God made everything for our enjoyment and use. Use these things, enjoy them, just don’t let them take your heart. I think Paul’s words in phil 3 refer more to the humbling in his spirit and not forsaking enjoyment of life. Paul was referring to his walking away from seeking the approval of men and seeking the esteem and favor of the world. That is the rubbish he spoke of as pursuing and collecting those things makes our life all about US as opposed to about HIM. That is an evil desire that comes from the devil
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Regarding Phil 3:7-9 : I’m a 41 year old, black female, and for some time I’ve intentionally kept myself unemployed from any secular-type work in efforts to make myself more available for “Godly service.” From what I NOW understand {by “NOW” I simply mean that it’s taken God appoximately 41 years of my life to get me to finally become enlightened}, via coming THIS far down through the journey we call “life,” I have recently gained insight about the whole point God had in mind, and the ULTIMATE reason for subjecting His creation {each of us, namely myself} to the “HUMAN-experience.” Upon this revelation & personal discovery, there’s no question in my mind about where my interests lie. Within the past 2 years my life has slowly, but progressivly, evolved into a COMPLETE lack of interest in all “earthly” intrests/pursuits, and replaced by a building hunger & drive for ALL things “spiritual” {not unlike Apostle Paul the Phil. 3:7-9 scripture passage}. As a result of these occurances, and gradual changes in my ever-growing devotion to God {and what I would call God’s “dealing” with me}, my lifestyle during this 2 year time period has also slowly evolved into what has become a reclusive lifestyle within my home, not much unlike a hermit {even to the point of sending my 14yr. old daughter & only child to live with my mother about a month ago for an indefinite period of time, at God’s bidding}. By now I feel overwhelmingly convinced, spiritually convicted and utterly compelled by God that in ALL of this there is NO doubt that He has reserved my life to be used in some form of “asceticism,” or life’s-work of dedicated to piety {i.e., the calling of a nun, priest, monk, ect.} as evidenced by the fact that I have come to desire living absolutely NO OTHER WAY. As I diligently continue to look to Him in seeking spiritual guidance & direction {from wherever He may purpose it to come from}, what God-inspired advise could you give me regarding what I can do to make sure to hear from Him more clearly while in this “holding-pattern,” or where do I go from here in my quest to further discover how God seeks to use the REST of my life, as I have ENTIRELY given up ANY INTEREST THAT I HAD IN IT completely to Him. Do YOU know of any devout vocation/calling that I may be unaware of that would spiritually “fit” a person like myself who would much rather walk the earth in the EXACT same way Jesus did {to the point of being prepared to deny & completely give up house, family, money, and any/ALL matierial possession}. I would gladly walk away from all of it, and “CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH… THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST.” Back in bible-times “heeding-the-call” as simple as walking off the job, or out the front door of your home with wanton abandon to never return, just as the disciples did. I too hear Jesus beckoning me to “drop everything” and follow Him in this more LITERAL sense {also as it was asked of the rich man in Luke 18:22}, but how does one respond in a “2010″ society that is more secularistic THAN EVER, having no place for the “old-fashshioned” disciple to belong?!
Happy flag day Student. Your question is one that I have been focused on for some time. You see I have not sold all of my stuff and given it all to the poor and then followed Jesus. I would like to think I can follow Jesus and at the same time be a good steward of the financial blessings God has bestowed upon me. If the Holy Spirit told me clearly to go give it ALL away, I would freak out and want to hang out my fleece like Gideon did at least 10 times so I would confirm that commandment was truly from God and not my mind. I haven’t heard that kind of command from God, he has not tested me to the level he has tested many others. I thank God for that.
God knows our hearts and he commands us based on what we need now in our lives. One person’s command to sell everything may be different than another’s who gets a command saying “get rid of only the boat” or to quit your high salaried job to go into missionary work. These are just an hypothetical examples, but I believe God has a customized plan for each of us. The Spirit of Truth knows the deepest thoughts of God and guides us in all truth. Our job is to listen and obey. Any idols or lifestyle issues that impede our walk will be brought to mind, especially if we ask God for wisdom.
So we are not under any lesser standard than the rich man Jesus spoke with. I believe God does not ask the same thing in that regard from each of us but has a custom plan. God has showed me, he allowed me to prosper not to live lavishly but so I could be a credible witness to many that are seeking after earthly treasures. The testimony of a reformed seeker of earthly pleasure is more valid than someone that has never been there. God wants me to be an example and demonstrate a transformation he alone made happen and turn people from chasing after riches. This has been a continuing test as it is so easy to put ones own pleasure ahead of doing God’s will in the moment. When the Spirit leads us to sell or give things away, we had better obey that spirit. I am doing that now, getting involved in things I would have shunned even a year ago. God Bless You.
Are we under any lesser standard than Christ asked of the rich man who did not give all to the poor and follow Christ?