The Overwhelming Importance of Laying Up Safe Treasures in Heaven as Opposed to Unsafe Treasures on Earth!

12 Mar 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 6:21.        For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Oh friends, it’s Thursday, our penultimate day of the week! It’s a windy one with some sunshine, but also a cloud cover, and please, as Jesus says, don’t look forward too much to tomorrow and thus ignore today’s challenges. (Matt. 6:34) The weekend will come in due time and give you enough troubles to manage.

Anyway, I don’t know if the ole fella is getting soft in the head or what, (smile) but I just noticed that I sent our yesterday’s Bit as the 10th of March instead of the 11th.  And I always check the dates and headings before I send them out. But the problem lies in the fact that I usually copy the headings and just change the dates, apparently though, I forgot to do that yesterday. Please forgive me. And I know you will, but it’s if I can forgive myself, for I detest making mistakes, especially such glaring ones, although I know they are a human possibility. (smile) But please don’t worry, we will get over it eventually.

Now here’s an interesting phenomenon I noticed some time last week. On looking out my bedroom window on to my backyard, I suddenly noticed that the big tree in my neighbour’s yard still had about three to four dozen leaves attached to it from the bottom branches to a third of the way up. And they are not new growth, for they are light brown in colour. That means they must have weathered the winter with all the snow, strong winds and lack of proper nourishment. I can’t remember ever seeing this sort of thing before, where two thirds of a tree was bare while the remaining third had numerous leaves on it’s dry branches. And I wonder how come I never noticed it before, as I look out my bedroom window every day to see what’s happening out there.

But who knows why and how it happened? So we’ll just place it in the God moves in mysterious ways folder, until we know better. (smile) And here’s another most important and appropriate message from Jesus to His followers. This from His teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, where He strongly admonishes us: ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt. 6:19-21)

And we all know that’s the indisputable truth; wherever our treasure is hidden that’s where our focus will be concentrated. But unfortunately, too many of us still kill ourselves working, or scamming, to lay up earthly treasures for ourselves, despite knowing the truth of Jesus’ warning. But just check out a junkyard. Everything in there was once bright, shiny and new, and we worked or stole our tails off to get them. But with the passage of time they withered, rusted, or rotted and are now considered junk.

Then things like money and jewels are stolen or fraudulently acquired every day. Banks are robbed, big museums are robbed in broad daylight despite the many intrepid alarm systems they possess. So there’s really no safe way to hoard your earthly possessions. And Jesus didn’t even talk about the worse part of hoarding earthly treasures, that is when you die you don’t carry them with you, but leave them right here on earth for others to waste or fight over. So what’s the point of running down earthly treasures eh? None whatsoever!

Now Jesus didn’t mean you cannot acquire earthly treasures, but that should not be your number one goal. Your number one goal should be seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, which would allow you to lay up treasures in heaven, where there are no moths, rust or thieves, and whatever you lay up there is completely safe. And Peter seconds Jesus’ warning when he writes: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-5)

Yes my fellow believers, if the Lord could raise Jesus from the dead, and keep our inheritance of salvation and eternal life imperishable or indestructible, morally untainted and not subject to the ravages of time, why can’t He keep our other lesser treasures and rewards that we store in heaven safe eh? No reason at all. And the scholars offer this explanation on the subject of treasures. ‘The attention of the believer is directed toward treasures in heaven. The term ‘treasures’ implies the addition or accumulation of things. The two kinds of treasures are conditioned by their place (either on earth or in heaven). The concept of laying up treasures in heaven is not pictured as one of meritorious benefits but rather rewards for faithful service, as illustrated elsewhere in the teaching of Jesus.’

And with that explanation come this other warning, where some of us try to ride the fence. Jesus rightfully declares: ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other, or else he will hold to the one (be loyal to one), and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’ (Matt. 6:24) That’s more gospel truth friends! You cannot worship material wealth and God at the same time. As the scholars say: ‘Total loyalty to God cannot be divided between Him and one’s material possessions… Jesus is not condemning money or possessions in and of themselves, but the improper attitude of enslavement toward wealth.’

But how many of us are listening to Jesus eh? Not a whole lot, for the current trend in our world is to run down earthly wealth like it’s going out of style. Anyway, unless we choose to listen, nobody can really tell us how to make our individual way in this evil, greedy and ungodly world. But let’s remember there are consequences to every action, and some of those consequences can be very dangerous and damning. So please pay serious attention to the warnings of Jesus, for He knows whereof He speaks.

Now let’s declare and thus activate our underserved Thursday Blessings that God has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And having made that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and share those blessings with others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him as we do! Much LOVE!

…the LOVE of money and/or material wealth…will drive you to do all kinds of evil deeds…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   1 November 2022 Matthew 6:24b.

01 Nov 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 6:24b.       Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money, riches).

Well, this new month of November has opened somewhat wet and cloudy in my area. But thankfully all the Halloween nonsense is now over, except the children stuffing their innocent faces with the candy they collected on their ‘trick or treat spree.’ Now, the next big push, the next big money grab is Christmas. And believe me, they have already begun the process for that. As soon as one money making opportunity passes, they jump right into the next one. But that’s the way of our new world, it’s all about the money! 

And I’m chuckling, though somewhat sadly, as I remember talking to a young lady recently about marriage, and she was quite adamant to remain a spinster in her parents’ home unless, and until, she found a man with money. LOVE, unfortunately ran a distant second place to the dinero. I guess, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not LOVE, but money that makes the world go round! And so many of us supposed believers are doing like the world, running down the money. Yes, we all need money to live, but we’re not supposed to let money run or colour our lives. 

That’s Jesus’ position. Remember His most august pronouncements on the subject. ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other: or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money, riches).’ (Matt. 6:24) And though that’s gospel truth, it’s also simple logic. We cannot have two masters running our lives at the same time. But nonetheless, many of us still try to do it, only to confuse and disrupt our lives even more than normal. 

And I like how the scholars explain that verse. ‘This kind of spiritual double vision causes one to believe he can serve two masters. Total loyalty to God cannot be divided between Him and loyalty to one’s material possessions. A master is a lord or an owner. That God claims total lordship over His own is obvious in this passage. Therefore, Jesus rightly proclaimed, Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The term ‘mammon’ is derived from the Aramaic term for possessions or wealth. Jesus is not condemning money or possessions in and of themselves, but the improper attitude of enslavement toward wealth.’ 

And is that ever a major problem in this money hungry and wealth conscious society! Thankfully though, Jesus also gave us the antidote for that illogical and ungodly behaviour, when He wisely advised. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) 

Oh my people, there again, that’s simple logic and common sense! If you make the One True God of this world, the owner of it all, as well as your Creator, your number ONE priority, it’s obvious that He will look after you and provide for all of your needs. You won’t have to go chasing down the money or the material wealth, they will come chasing you down, because there’s no one as generous as your heavenly Father, and He’s just dying to bless His obedient and faithful children! 

And the thing is, when you acquire wealth and riches through Satan, rather than the Lord God Jehovah, those riches can fall through your hands like water through a sieve or strainer. But when you get your wealth through the grace of Almighty God, He guides you to make good decisions, and your wealth stays in your hands. And Jesus is not the only one who warns us in the Good Book, or rather in the Good Library, for the Bible is not a book but a library containing numerous books with a wealth of knowledge and experience on earthly living. (smile) So let’s check out a few of those warnings nuh. 

And I guess this is the warning that most of us know, which comes from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds of) evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many arrows.’ (1 Tim. 6:10) Yes friends, that says it plain and straightforward; it’s not the money itself, but the LOVE of money, that’s our greed, that causes so many of us to stray away from God and thus ruin our lives. Oh, we cannot covet, or strive after money as the goal of life, as so many of us do, because it almost always drives us to despair and eventual downfall. 

And in that same chapter, Bruh Paul also instructs Timothy thus. ‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share). Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

 Ah mih bredrin, yuh see when you are wealthy in earthly goods you are also expected to share that wealth unselfishly and generously with others, laying up heavenly rewards. Note though, as the scholars explain. ‘Salvation is not purchased by the giving of money, but generosity demonstrates the reality of one’s faith. Since the believer trusts God and not money, he gives. This giving shows where his heart is and that he views his wealth in light of eternity.’ Oh friends, I only wish we could say that about the majority of the wealthy people in our current world! 

Then there’s this admonition from James: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be (wants to be) a friend of the world, is (makes himself) the enemy of God.’ (James 4:4) There’s no room for doubt in that statement. To be a true believer, faithfulness to God must be our top priority, and our actions, not just our talk, ought to show that. 

And these words of John in his first epistle very clearly state the same thing. ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh (physical desires), and the lust of the eyes (personal desires), and the pride of life (self-interests), is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:15-17) 

It could not be put any simpler or better my brethren: the things of this world pass away, but the things of God, and those who abide in His will, live forever! So, for those of us who choose to abide in God’s will and live forever, let’s go home declaring (chuh man!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

And having made that declaration (yesss!!!) let’s go out and action it by sharing the amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like We do! Much LOVE!

…contrary to popular world opinion…life is not about the money…it’s all about JESUS… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ