Posted on 06/05/2019 4:27:41 AM PDT by metmom
“‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’” (Matthew 6:19–21).
There is a great potential for your possessions to become idols when you accumulate them for yourself. But possessions that are wisely, willingly, and generously used for kingdom purposes can be a means of accumulating heavenly possessions. When they are hoarded and stored, they not only become a spiritual hindrance but also are subject to loss through moth, rust, and thieves.
In ancient times, wealth was frequently measured in part by clothing. The best clothes were made of wool, which the moths loved to eat. Wealth was also often held in grain. The Greek word for “rust” means “an eating.” That’s the application here, since grain was often ruined by rats, mice, worms, and insects. Also, almost any kind of wealth can be stolen. Many people in those days buried their nonperishable valuables in the ground, away from the house, often in a field.
Nothing we own is completely safe from destruction or theft. But when our time, energy, and possessions are used to serve others and to further the Lord’s work, they build up heavenly resources that are completely free from destruction or theft.
Make sure you are living by this principle: “Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9–10).
Ask Yourself
How many of your worries revolve around financial issues? What kind of stress and strain does this place on your mind and spirit—whether your problem involves being anxious about the prospects of the money you have, or anxious about the money you don’t have?
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank you for posting this.
Without saving up some gold, your treasures in heaven might be yours a little sooner. I understand the point—but some things in moderation. You have to render unto Caesar or Caesar will come for his share.
To me I see treasures on earth as my daughters and grandchildren’s health , I am seeing prosperity and working daily and I attribute it to God seeing my heart and thoughts as I feebly attempt to seek his grace . Glory to God and his son and never forget the helper who will and can guide you through the day as we seek to walk in Gods grace and hopefully please him with our actions and words . Thank you Metmom for posting Gods word . Thank you Lord God for loving me .
“But possessions that are wisely, willingly, and generously used for kingdom purposes can be a means of accumulating heavenly possessions.”
https://www.gty.org/donate/donatenow
Hmmmmm....
I can’t get my head around this verse (”do not store up treasures for yourselves”).
Most people who store up treasures are doing it for their descendants, no? Which is a good reason I would think.
Of course, I am a descendant-in-waiting so maybe I’m biased. ;)
It is easy to get carried away in deciding that others have “too much” wealth. For most of us “too much” only applies to others, obviously we have the right amount, certainly not too much. “To much” is measured from our point of view. The vast majority of the undeveloped world believes that all Americans are “Rich”. We all have too much according to them. Much of the world news is concentrated on how Americans use too much gasoline, consume too much food and watch too many movies. We all drive 2 Cadillac’s and vacation at Disney World.
If you make $50,000 dollars a year you think you are poor, but the person who only makes $25,000 a year thinks you are selfishly rich because you don’t share with them. People who make $100,000 are thought of in the same way by the $50,000 a year folks. Wealth is realitive. If you own a fancy car is that storing up treasure? If you continue to earn and save after having a couple million in the bank is that storing up wealth?
I contend that The Lord does not put a limit on “good” wealth. The Lord has explained that there is a law to satisfy wealth, the law of Tithing. If you give 10% of what you make each year to the church then there will be plenty in the storehouse for those in need. If you make $25,000 a year and are unwilling to give 10% to The Lord then your heart is in your storehouse. If you make $1,000,000 and give $100,000 to the Lord then your heart is not in your storehouse.
Is it evil to have a yacht, a personal airplane or other luxury? If it is, then is it evil to have a banana split? Wealth is realitive. Our obligation to our fellow man via the law of Tithing is not, it is well defined.
:: Our obligation to our fellow man via the law of Tithing ::
To clarify some...
The Law of Tithing is our sacrifice to God (first fruits). It is not an obligation to our neighbor.
1.Without saving up some gold, your treasures in heaven might be yours a little sooner.
2.Without saving up some guns and ammo, your treasures on earth might belong to someone else a little sooner.
The Law of Tithing is our sacrifice to God (first fruits). It is not an obligation to our neighbor.
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Perhaps your statement in fact true but in application when we give to “the church” there is no other way to give it to The Lord.
In the times of the Temples the Jews brought in their meat offerings of live animals. The animals were sacrificed and some fat burned but the bulk of the animal was given to the priesthood, sold to provide income to the priests and run the temple. The temple also had a means of public offering of money, thus the story of the widows mite. That money in combination with the meat that could not be consumed by the priesthood who had no means of raising animals since they owned no land, went to help the poor after the the temple expenses were met. Animal sacrifice was not considered a part of tithing, but an offering. Malachi speaks of Tithes as being the means of filling the storehouse with meat. We don’t fill a storehouse with meat to let it rot, it is to be eaten.
The Lord when asked what is the greatest commandment answered after loving The Lord was loving our neighbor. Since Abraham “the church” has been a vehicle of taking care of the poor. I’m in no way suggesting that after 10% we have necessarily fulfilled our obligation but at least that is a start. There is really not much of a way to send our tithes and offerings to The Lord other than this unless you think burning money will allow the smoke to go to heaven.
Our Tithes also support the working and administration of the church, builds buildings, schools and holds training and worship meetings. Churches however that do not support the poor are not in my humble opinion Christian. I believe that The Lord has prescribed a way for the poor to be taken care of and that is the law of tithing. Certainly The Lord who gave us our wealth does not need it, He has given it to us to see what we do with it and to see if we love our neighbor.
If there is another way that Christianity has prescribed for taking care of the poor I don’t think I am aware of it. In today’s society since we have stopped being universally Christian believers we now have given responsibility to the government to take care of the poor, I do not hold that belief.
:: haps your statement in fact true but in application when we give to “the church” ::
God is not pragmatic. What follows this is an anthropocentric statement and therefore of no relevance and misleading. It is, simply, sophistry.
I think it is responsible and wise to have something to pass on to the kids.
But THINGS should not be our main focus.
Actually, the law of tithing is part of the LAW, and thus not applicable to NT church believers.
Yes, we are expected to give as the Lord leads, but to be so legalistic about tithing when we tend to reject legalism in every other area, is someone suspicious.
It makes me wonder about people’s motives.
Because usually it’s presented as *Give your 10% and God will pour out His blessing on you*. But if we are giving for that reason, we have it all wrong and God will not bless it. He’s not an investment service and will not be used for material gain.
Thanks for posting this.
God bless, ‘Pod.
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