“FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS …”
They did not have banks in those days! We read today in Luke 12 v.16-20 of a man who built many barns to “store all my grain and my goods” so he could “relax, eat, drink and be merry.” This is the spirit among many in Australia today, the emphasis is on material well-being! Of course it is not necessary to build bigger barns or have barns at all, but what security do banks offer? Figures in computers, plenty of ‘paper’ money!
As the Creator brings more and more of his promised time of trouble, a time, to quote our Lord (in Mark 13 v.19) when “there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be” again - it will almost certainly be useless to have any money in the bank, or any money at all, the only thing of value for the true believer to have – will be an overflowing abundance of faith.
Jesus calls the man in his parable who built bigger barns a “Fool!” adding, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." His next words to his disciples are, “"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food ... more than clothing …" [v.24]
Human minds today are totally concerned about such things - but we take to heart in what Jesus goes on to say, " For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." [v.30,31] His next words are, ""Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom...." Those who belong to his “little flock” spend their time developing more and more "treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." [v.33]
They did not have banks in those days! We read today in Luke 12 v.16-20 of a man who built many barns to “store all my grain and my goods” so he could “relax, eat, drink and be merry.” This is the spirit among many in Australia today, the emphasis is on material well-being! Of course it is not necessary to build bigger barns or have barns at all, but what security do banks offer? Figures in computers, plenty of ‘paper’ money!
As the Creator brings more and more of his promised time of trouble, a time, to quote our Lord (in Mark 13 v.19) when “there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be” again - it will almost certainly be useless to have any money in the bank, or any money at all, the only thing of value for the true believer to have – will be an overflowing abundance of faith.
Jesus calls the man in his parable who built bigger barns a “Fool!” adding, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." His next words to his disciples are, “"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food ... more than clothing …" [v.24]
Human minds today are totally concerned about such things - but we take to heart in what Jesus goes on to say, " For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." [v.30,31] His next words are, ""Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom...." Those who belong to his “little flock” spend their time developing more and more "treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." [v.33]
Finally note an even more vital point Jesus makes, " For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
And he adds this instruction; "Stay dressed for action and keep your
lamps burning ..." [v.32-35] Are you "dressed for action?" Is your
faith shining bright? Let us all be conscious, with full honesty of
heart, where our treasure is!
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