The True Treasure
The kingdom of Heaven was a major focus of Jesus’ ministry. Over and over again Jesus teaches about this kingdom and in Matthew 6:19-24, that is no different. In fact, as you read these verses, it is almost like you are reading the end of the book of Eccestiaes or some of the Proverbs. Jesus is teaching of the importance of making the kindom of Heaven focus of ones life. And he does this in three different proverb type sayings.
““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. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Matthew 6:19-24 ESV
The first way that Jesus teaches one to prusue heaven is by focusing on the ultimate ruin of worldly prusutes and treasures. The things of earth are temporary. Solomon makes note of that in Ecclesiastes 1:2 when he says, “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Solomon is focused on a life without eternity in mind and when the kingdom is not in focus, all will seem vain as it is all temporary. Jesus uses the temporal nature of earthy things as he teaches one to prusue the Kingdom. He teaches what Solomon teaches then says to prusue that which is not temporary but rather eternal. He says to pursue a place where the treasure lasts.
Next Jesus teaches that it is noticable when one has their heart set on heaven. He does this by teaching about the light that is sought out and grows within. He teaches that the eye is the lamp of the body and shows where one’s desire is placed. If it is on good things than light grows within but, if it is on worldly prusuits than the darkness that is inside is evident. Make sure that the light that is growing inside is not dark and place your prusuit on the kingdom of heaven.
The final way that Jesus teaches to prusue heaven is by teaching that one can only have one master. One can only truly love and therefore serve one thing. The example that he uses is money and God. We can only prioritize and prusue one thing. We must make a choice will we prusue our desires and the wealth and treasures of the earth or, will we prusue a live that places God first and a immperishable treasure? We must make our decision. I challenge us all to pursue God, placing him first in our lives, living a life where light grows within and true treasure is found in heaven.