Storing Your Treasure Chest for Eternity
Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21)
Today I want to ask you this question: What do you do that will last for eternity? When we think of treasures our minds go directly to wealth, so we may accumulate great wealth, but we cannot take it with us so it really isn't worth much to us in eternity. We can work hard in our vocation and accumulate great amounts of success. We may acquire accolades here in our life but nothing of that transfers past the grave.. Like wealth it is just temporary. It becomes a tricky question. What are we storing up for eternity?
Well, we must twist the question a bit and rephrase it..Where do you make a difference for eternity?
As a hint I will share something I found online .... a brief look into one's treasure chest that has eternity's longevity!
A. Here is a note I received this week from a person in our church. (read part). We have helped this family a little bit financially, so all of you who have given to our church have a part of this also. This will last for eternity.
B. The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. This is a book that helped forge in my soul a heart for holiness. The impact it had on me will last for eternity.
C. Picture of Serve 98 team. This is a picture of the group of teens I took to Vancouver to work with the poor in 1998. I know the things they saw and experienced there will last for eternity.
D. My Bible. This represents my ongoing conversation with God, as He speaks to me through His Word and through prayer. Every moment I spend here will last into eternity.
E. One last thing – a toilet plunger. This represents all the selfless acts of service that all of you have done for God’s kingdom. In Jesus’ day, washing the feet of travelers was one of the worst jobs – I think today’s equivalent is cleaning toilets. Jesus washed feet to demonstrate service. These kinds of jobs – which no one ever notices or says “thank you” for, will last for eternity. All of the things you have done for God, however menial or gross or simple, will last for eternity.
Now think again.. maybe you can start remembering some events or actions that you have accomplished that will last into eternity.. If you can., I would definitely encourage you to write them down. Some may be more eloquent than those listed here, and some may be just as simple, but significant. Keeping an account of what your life has accomplished for God's Kingdom is a good thing..and if your list is very small or incomplete, I challenge us all to find ways to make our lives meaningful and purposeful for the Kingdom of God!
