“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…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21)
I can’t help but think of the original movie “Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Blackpearl” in which Johnny Depp plays Captain Jack Sparrow. His treasure is the Black Pearl and taking his rightful place as its Captain again…His antagonist is Captain Barbossa and the crew have been cursed by a pirate’s treasure so that they can never die but they cannot enjoy the pleasures of life anymore either. Their treasure in life has become their undoing and they are now cursed because of it.
Is it so far fetched to think that earthly treasure can be like this with us as well? No we may not appear as ghosts in the moonlight, but we may be ruled by our treasures. Just flip on the television and consider the numerous commercials that tell us we haven’t truly lived until we have the newest and best telephone, electronic device, car or job. Earthly treasure certainly has its trappings, its lures and its appeal doesn’t it?
Have you heard it said, ‘whatever consumes most of your time will consume you?’ Another word for our treasures could be the word ‘Idol’. If we become consumed with an idol in our lives, it dominates our time, and our attention then does it not take away from the time we should be spending with God? Don’t we see throughout the Old Testament that God is a jealous God who wants us to be completely sold out to Him alone? It literally breaks His heart when his people sell His love for cheap idols of this world that are temporal and will fade away. It’s like having the Hope Diamond yet trading it in for a cubic zirconia ring that was seen the on Home shopping network…it just doesn’t make sense!
Where is your treasure today? Are you investing your time and your passions on the Eternal or the temporal and Earthly? Have you been cursed by your possessions? Consumed by them? Don’t allow earthly treasures that are cheap and temporary to replace the love of God which is perfect, lovely and will last forever!
Truth be told, I have made this mistake countless times, it never pays off. Sure for a time we’re happy with our treasure, but over time it loses its shine and what we thought would bring us happiness leaves us with a vacuum in our hearts…and we’re empty. Eternal treasure will never leave us feeling this way! God will never leave us or forsake us, and His promises are always true, noble and priceless in value!
So what’ll it be? Your shiny new toy that will one day fail you, or God’s Eternal light which shines forever?
Where your treasure is…there your heart is also. Think on these things, and with the words of Jesus, “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear!”
Pastor's Ponderings 