May 17

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” —MATTHEW 6:19

There are two fundamental characteristics of treasures laid up on earth; they are temporary and they are troublesome!

Treasures on earth are good for this life only, and are vulnerable to decay, loss and theft. Paul makes a very prudent statement when he says, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1Timothy 6:7). To be wrapped up in the treasures of earth as the goal and mastering principle of our lives is to hold an extremely shallow understanding of who we are and of our true significance.

We must be clear about what Jesus says concerning the role of material possessions. He does not forbid them. God created them for our good. Jesus didn’t say, “Do not store up treasures on earth.” He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” If accumulation of wealth is motivated by selfishness rather than service, there is fault. Material possessions are not in themselves good or bad, but it is the role they play within our value system. When they are the priority and motivation for our lives, they become dangerous and destructive. Paul writes, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with all kinds of grief” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

All kinds of grief would certainly include worry, and it’s entirely logical the more we have, the more we have to worry about and protect. The more we have to protect, the more anxious we become about losing it, and the very thing we believe would bring security, actually brings insecurity. It’s also a myth to believe the more we have the more content we will be. The reality is that contentment has little to do with accumulation of wealth, but everything to do with relationships. Jesus warned, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

The pursuit of material satisfaction has undoubtedly led to the fragmentation of personal, family and national life, so evident around us today and so clearly forewarned by Jesus that when treasure on earth is our goal, ‘worry’ is our experience.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray I will never sacrifice my spiritual well-being for the accumulation of material wealth. May I share what I have, and draw my security from You. Thank You, Lord. 

TO REFLECT UPON: Does worry characterize my life when it comes to protecting monetary possessions?