Scripture: Matthew
6 v 19 - 21:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the
Earth......but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For
where your treasure is there will your heart be also."
Nearly everybody loves lots of wealth and material
possessions to make living on Earth an easy and joyful experience. The down
side of having all the riches of this world is keeping thieves from finding a
way to make you share it with them.
From "trusted" accountants to those who kidnap
loved ones for ransom, to hackers and identity theft, you must constantly be on
your guard to protect your treasures. The bigger the treasure the more you have
to worry about it.
Jesus said its almost impossible for a rich man to make
it to Heaven and its like a loaded camel getting through the eye of the needle.
The eye of the needle was one of the ancient gates traders used to bring their
goods into Jerusalem. It was too narrow for a fully laden camel to get through.
It had to be unloaded outside the gate and its load transported by carts.
When we die we cannot take our wealth with us. We leave
this world with nothing and we cannot buy our way into Heaven. Our wealth, bank
account, university degrees, golf handicap, political status, royal or common,
even our charitable gifts and humanitarianism count for nothing in Heaven.
The only way to make it count in Heaven while down here
is to be a born again Christian who is actively serving God. The more you do
for others without fanfare and acclamation the more your Heavenly bank account
grows. This is eternal wealth that is truly safe. The way you use wealth to
extend the Kingdom of God is your true treasure that brings eternal rewards.
The Lord has no problem with you having riches as long as
the riches don't have you. Does your wealthy status determine your
spirituality? Do you think it earns you a place in Heaven? Does it make you
proud and harsh with lesser mortals? For the Lord watches over all.
Like those camels at the eye of the needle we need to
offload the burden of wealth by using it under God's guidance and wisdom.
Billions of dollars are spent annually on research into HIV/AID's and Cancer
among others.
Those diseases are actually demonic manifestations and
can be dealt with through prayer bringing deliverance which costs nothing. But
in our sophisticated, intellectual, scientific world this answer is too simple
and spooky to be contemplated.
I have personally seen Jesus completely heal people with
those and other dread diseases when they were in their final hours. Jesus
chooses who comes home to Him and when but He still heals and delivers people
from death today.
I vividly remember being asked to pray for an unsaved gay
man over a mobile phone held to his ear while he was comatose in his final day.
While I was praying from 800kms away he woke up and asked his brother what my
name was. He said she is standing next to the bed and perfectly described me.
He then fell into a natural sleep. The next morning when
they arrived to visit him he was dressed and ready to be discharged from
hospital perfectly healthy. He phoned me later and told me he had received
Jesus as his Saviour and Lord.
Our God can do anything and nothing is too difficult for
Him. If we are obedient and submitted to His will He uses us to meet the needs
of others freely. Without charge. These free gifts from Him bring Heavenly
wealth to us that He may be glorified.
So don't make an idol out of your wealth and possessions
just use them wisely as Jesus directs. He will bless you a hundredfold on this
Earth and throughout eternity in Heaven. If He is watching over you and yours
there is no greater safety.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for watching over Your
children and their possessions. Please help us to be use Godly wisdom in how we
handle our wealth. Let us give to those in need as You direct us Lord, not
grudgingly but joyfully to Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.