[WP-Coder id="1"]
Heavenly treasures never depreciate
Jesus instructed His listeners on the mountainside, “…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). Likewise, The Apostle Paul instructed his readers, “…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”(Colossians 3:1–2).
Heavenly treasures never disappear
Jesus spoke of “…treasures in heaven…where thieves do not break in and steal.” We need never fear that the heavenly treasures we have invested in will be taken. They are protected by God Himself (how’s that for security?). We invest in heavenly treasure by trusting Jesus Christ to be our Savior from sin.
The abundance of our heavenly treasures will completely satisfy
God wants to give us a life filled to overflowing with good things like joy and peace and satisfaction. That’s why Jesus came to earth, as it says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Heavenly treasures are the focus we need at Thanksgiving time. If we put our hope in God, not in things or money, God will richly provide us with everything we need, and many things above and beyond our needs.
Our hearts will be where our treasures are
A friend was driving along behind a motorcycle and saw the most startling thing. She watched as the bike and its riders—a man, a woman and a baby—flipped off the road and careened into the ditch. The biker jumped up and anxiously examined his motorcycle. Satisfied that it wasn’t damaged, he went to check on the woman and baby.
If you’ve ever been in love, you know that we pay the most attention to the people and things we value the most.
In my High School graduating class was Big Joe; he was 6’8″ tall and the star of our basketball team. During classes, he would sit and doodle his girlfriend’s name on everything from his textbooks to his notebook to his hand—even the desk itself. Joe and that girl never did get married, because he was soon “in love” with someone else and presumably doodling her name on everything in sight.
Our thanksgiving will be just like our treasures
If our treasures are on earth, our thankfulness will vary with our fortunes. If our treasures are in heaven, our thankfulness will be constant and plentiful, just like our heavenly treasures. This Thanksgiving season, be sure to thank God for whatever He has chosen to give you. And don’t blame God for what you ourself have wasted. The wisdom of Solomon again: “…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God”(Proverbs 30:8b–9).
The beginning point for a good Thanksgiving season is this: Trusting Jesus as our Savior!
The Plan of Salvation:
- All are sinners Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
- The punishment for sin is the death penalty Romans 6:23 The wages of sin are death…
- Christ stepped in and took the death sentence for our sin Romans 5:8 God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- We must believe and receive His gift of love Romans 10:9, 10, 13 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Just the right amount: Probably most of us would like to have more money than we have; on the other hand, some don’t even have the minimum needed. But I for one will give thanks to God for the modesty of my earthly treasure; because if I had too much, it would undoubtedly take me further from God, rather than closer to Him.
Some wise poet wrote:
Money will buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains;
Food but not appetite; finery but not beauty;
A house but not a home; medicine but not health;
Luxuries but not class or culture; amusements but not happiness;
Religion but not salvation—
Money will buy a passport to everywhere but heaven.