Click For Audio Version
Treasures Laid Up In Store….On Earth or in Heaven?
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:19-21 NKJV
Many of us will recall the story of the rich man who thought it was time for him to take his retirement, so to speak. He would concentrate on taking care of his needs and relaxing. He was about to sit back and count his money and goods…or so he thought!
God, however, calls him a fool. He reminds the man that his soul will be required of him, and then where will his belongings go? He would no longer have them in the eternity where he was headed. One only supposes that, as a selfish man who lived solely for himself, he was not heaven-bound.
The newspapers carry the obituaries with every publication.
If we have been on this earth for a good while, we know many who have already passed on to heaven or hell. We also know that the day will come, sooner or later, when we too will pass away and leave behind all that we spent our time worrying over.
Think of our limited timespan. A great deal of it is spent in the growing-up years, getting an education, finding and growing in a job, earning a living, marrying, raising children, and watching them grow to begin the same pattern.
One day, you realize that the mirror does not lie, and you are no longer young. In fact, like the man in the story we read, you might soon have YOUR soul required of you.
Are you ready? Do you need more time to worry over things more?
29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek [a]the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Let us interrupt our reading again to ponder this thought.
Along with all of our knick-knacks, how many of us also keep an anxious mind?
Do you spend an exorbitant amount of your life thinking of your meal plans? Do you think of what you will eat and drink again, instead of thinking of those in this world who do not know where to find their next meal? Many might not have known where the next meal would come from for a long time now.
They might often not ever get that next meal.
Sometimes, it is days before they find something barely edible to stave off the constant hunger.
32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Another interruption, believer. Think back, if you will, at all the times God has provided for you. Countless times God has given you all of your needs and far beyond. He has been so good to you and me. What is it He wants us to do with all He has given to us? How do we thank Him?
Read on:
33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:29-34 NKJV
YES, SELL!
Grab those knick-knacks off the shelves. Forget the vacation. Give the needy those extra clothes, shoes, books, blankets, sheets, etc. You get the idea. Make someone else in need about to live from what you held extra. Make a difference! Sell Your Treasures! Do it NOW!
Do not hoard, keep, count, and dust the things God has given you. SELL THEM!
Notice that God didn’t talk about retirement plans, cruises, 401K, stocks, bonds, or boats. Nope…none of that is mentioned. YOU ARE TOLD TO SELL WHAT YOU HAVE!!!! In fact, a rich young man who came to Jesus, was told to sell all he had. GIVE IT AWAY! Those money bags of good deeds would not grow old. No one could steal that which had been already given away for the good of the needy on earth. No moth could destroy those things given to God. Our things can be a way to help the needy and one way to show our love for God.
God wants us to be channels of His Love.
His Love is to flow through us to others. Love is not to lie stagnating and unused.
SELL AND GIVE!
By so doing, our things are turned into good deeds and are transported to Heaven.