Scripture: Matthew 6 v 19 - 21: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 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, we must constantly be on our guard to protect our treasures. The bigger the treasure the more we have to worry about it.
1 Corinthians 2 v 9: "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
So that which our Father has prepared for us in Heaven is beyond anything we can imagine in our wildest dreams. Just being in Heaven is enough. To be in God's presence and reunited with loved ones is already mind blowing! Yet there is more and it continues forever.
Whatever you do make absolutely sure that you meet every requirement to reach Heaven. If you do not have a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus so that He knows you and you know Him, that is the most vital necessity to address. If you are dead and standing before Him and He says 'I never knew you' those are the four saddest words you will ever hear.
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 offloaded outside the gate and its goods transported by servants or 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, grand slam trophies, gold cups, political status, royal or common, even our charitable gifts and humanitarianism count for nothing in Heaven. None of these human achievements opens a door into Heaven.
John 14 v 6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
The only way to make it count in Heaven while down here is to be a born again Christian who is actively serving God. This is Jesus showing us the way to the Father in Heaven through His death. We must walk in His truth, become like He was and is in us.
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. He causes rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Like those camels stopped 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, Cancer, TB, among others. They are looking for a prevention or a cure.
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. . It also does not feed the greedy insatiable bank accounts of the Big Pharma companies.
I have personally seen Jesus completely heal people with those and other dread diseases. Jesus chooses who comes home to Him and when but He still heals and delivers people from death today.
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.
Psalm 127 v 1: "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
Jesus watches over us and He is our only real protector. When we are in Heaven one day we will be astonished at how many times He prevented evil from touching us. He is our real treasure.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for watching over Your children and their possessions. Please help us to 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.