July 28, 2024 -- Matthew 6:19-21 -- What, or whom, do you treasure?

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, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

This past week was my reading week. I focused on educational reading that is helpful in building up my skills for the work God has given me to do. It has been a pleasure. One expression has been playing around in my mind. It is a quotation from John Piper, “when sin becomes bitter, marriage becomes sweet”. In the context of the reading today that expression could be altered to something like this: when sin becomes bitter then following Jesus, Who is the treasure in heaven, becomes sweet.

You know what people value by the amount of time they spend talking about it, or showing pictures of it, or teaching others how to do what they love. A Christian, who treasures Jesus in his heart, will find following Jesus and serving Him to be sweet. The Spirit of God, Who lives in the heart of the believer changes his tastes and attitudes. The Spirit of God, Who lives in the heart of believers changes her values and her desires. A believer will talk about Jesus. Express hope in Jesus that is unwavering. Fill their conversations with the hope that anchors their souls, the love of God the Father revealed in Jesus Christ, Who is sealed to the heart of believers by the presence of the Spirit.

What are you treasuring? What readjustment needs to take place so that you are not rolling and turning like tumbleweed to hell, but are instead, living with eyes fixed on Jesus and with steady pace and sure steps journeying toward Him in every thought, word and deed. When sin has become bitter, then following Jesus, Who is our treasure in heaven, becomes sweet.

Father in heaven, at the start of this day, by Your Word and Spirit expose sin for the bitterness and wretchedness it truly is. By the same Word and Spirit reveal Jesus as the sweetest gift of heaven, our highest treasure, Whom we then will follow no matter the cost. Amen.

https://youtu.be/y0ac4sT-4-o?si=2Z2oNmGenUH7GKlp “When We See Your Face”

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