The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding that the Things of Heaven are more Important than Those of Earth!

03 Sep 2026 Leave a comment

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   3 September 2026   Matthew 6:19.

Matthew 6:19.        Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.

Oh friends, we’re on a late bus today because the ole fella wasn’t feeling up to scratch earlier on and thus lay in bed longer than usual. However, thankfully, after the rain yesterday, this Thursday, the penultimate day of our work week, has blossomed into a bright and sunshiny warm day! Glory to God! And unfortunately,  some of us are looking forward so much to tomorrow, Friday, that we are in danger of not concentrating properly on today’s challenges. As the ole people would say, don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today.

And per Jesus: ‘Take no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt. 6:34) In other words, tomorrow will bring enough problems and challenges of it’s own for you to worry about, so concentrate on not having to carry forward today’s. And with those awesome words of wisdom, (smile) let’s turn to some scriptures that talk about a subject which many of us believers still need to learn. That’s the unwise attitude of running down money and the material things and pleasures of the world.

In the first place, Jesus warned us in the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.’ (Matt. 6:19) And we see the wisdom in that every day, where thieves break through the most sophisticated alarm and computer systems and steal oodles of supposedly worthwhile stuff. Meanwhile, what isn’t stolen becomes old and rusty, or eaten by moths. So what’s the wise thing to do?

Listen to Jesus: ‘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. 6:20-21)And all of that is the gospel truth my people! There are no thieves, rust, nor moths in heaven to ruin your treasures there. Then it’s obvious that wherever your treasures are stored that’s where your heart and mind will be focused. So if they are stored here on earth, then you will be focused on earthly things, and bad attitudes like greed, jealousy, resentment and anger will eventually seep into your soul as you strive to build up your earthly treasures.

But if they are stored in heaven, then you will be focused on heaven. And believe me, that’s the best place to have one’s focus, for all that we have here on earth will stay here when we depart his life, but what we store in heaven will be there waiting for us when we get there and will last us forever! Wow! That brings us to this awesome teaching from Bruh Paul to Timothy on the subject. He begins with this wise warning. ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment (clothing) let us be therewith content.’ (1 Tim. 6:6-8)

More gospel truth my people! And its’ exactly what I just said, we can’t carry anything from this world with us. And according to the scholars ‘This is a divine means of showing man that since material wealth is relatively insignificant, he should pursue the important things mentioned in verse 11.’ Yes friends, we come with nothing and carry out nothing, so why kill ourselves to accumulate earthly treasures eh? Not wise at all.

Oh, material stuff is necessary in our lives, and we must accumulate some to live on during rainy periods or old age, but the greedy rush to accumulate more than enough is certainly unwise, because in the process we kill both body and soul, as well as important relationships like families, friends, co-workers and the church. Now, there’s no harm in wanting to better our circumstances, but that must not be our sole reason for living. That’s why Bruh Paul advises us to be contented with what we have.

As he further says: ‘But they that will (desire to) be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful (harmful) lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (ruin and destruction). 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 sorrows.’ (1 Tim. 6:9-10) Yes my fellow believers, that’s what the ambition to be rich can do to you. The LOVE of money is a source from which all kinds of evil can flow. And it’s not the only source of evil, but it certainly can happen when your goal in life is to strive after as much money as you can acquire.

And what’s the antidote to that evil LOVE for money? It’s as the scholars say found in verse 11. ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness.’ (1 Tim. 6:11) Now that’s the kind of life we believers ought to be seeking, not running down the lustful pleasures and riches of this world. And Bruh Paul adds another interesting verse that is supposed to stir up our blood and mission for Christ. ‘Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed (confessed) a good profession (confession) before many witnesses.’ (1 Tim. 6:12)

And to help us do that, we have our Thursday Blessings, undeserved blessings generously bestowed by the Lord for such purpose. So let’s declare and thus activate them right now nuh, because a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken. 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 use those blessings to help others, just as generously as the Lord bestowed them on us, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…money and material possessions are important…but seeking God should always be our first priority…

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

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