Posted on 06/04/2025 6:35:17 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).
The focus of Jesus’ teaching here is this: “Do not lay up treasures for yourself.” The Greek word for “lay up” connotes the idea of stockpiling or hoarding—it pictures wealth that isn’t being used, things kept mainly to show off one’s plenty.
Be sure of this, though: Jesus is not advocating poverty as a means of spirituality. Both the Old and New Testaments recognize the right to material possessions, including money, land, animals, houses, clothing, and anything else acquired honestly. In fact, the foundational truth underlying the commands not to steal or covet is the right of possessing personal property.
God expects and commands His people to be generous. But He also expects and commands that we not only be thankful for the blessings He gives but also derive pleasure from them—including the material blessings. The Lord “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). This verse is specifically directed to “those who are rich in this present world,” yet it does not command them to divest themselves of their wealth. Rather, it warns them not to be conceited about it or to trust in it. It’s how we use our possessions for kingdom purposes that counts.
Ask Yourself
How would you define your general attitudes toward money? What is its purpose in the believer’s life? How are we supposed to handle it? What are some of the greatest abuses or misunderstandings of money that have plagued your life or distorted your freedom with it?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Pastor Paula White-Cain will return to the White House as a Special Government Employee and Senior Advisor of the newly created White House Faith Office.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/president-trump-announces-appointments-to-the-white-house-faith-office/
I struggle with the fact that I collect books because I enjoy them and then keep them.
Is it covetous - yes at times when I desire to obtain something I don’t currently have.
Do I use them - yes. Do I go back to them periodically - yes.
Do I boarder on being a hoarder - my wife thinks so.
I do acknowledge it as a fault and seek forgiveness for my compulsions.
How can we store up treasures in heaven?
https://www.gotquestions.org/treasures-in-heaven.html
Paula White is nothing but Joel Osteen in practice! Trump is making a big mistake with her!
It is a very deliberate action on his part, a decision he made about her and her message many years ago and made stronger and more official upon his reelection.
She is intentional, the creation of an office for her is intentional, the promoting of her and her teachings to his Christian base and America for many years is intentional, and I’m curious what that intention is, what long term result or effect is being sought?
I think in this case hoarding means things of wealth, of convertible value, the accumulation of money or things like money as in stocking up with layers of wealth because of greed or as a display of wealth.
I don’t think it means the personality quirk of “hoarding”, like saving old newspapers, or a cabinet full of rinsed out mayonnaise jars, or old winter clothes that you think you might fit in again someday.
Books are not junk, especially if you read and reread them.
Maybe you could go through them and weed out the ones that you find out you don’t care for after all.
I think the issue also is trusting them for security.
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