Where is your treasure?

Scripture Lessons

Genesis 15:1-6

Psalm 33:12-22

Hebrews 11:1-16

Luke 12:22-40

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Last week you heard Jesus tell you to be on guard against the idolatry of greed. This week He continues along a similar line, “do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.” The concept is the same: God provides. He is the creator of all things, He knows what you need and provides it. “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”

Jesus gives another example. “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” It is unbecoming of the disciples of Jesus to fret over what you will eat or wear. This is the behavior of pagans!

In this lesson there are a number of imperatives (i.e. “do and do not”). It can have the sense of legalism. Indeed, many people hear this type of language and conclude that the Christian faith (and life) involves doing and not doing certain things…living by the law of God.

No, Jesus is not a new Moses and He has not come to teach the same law in a better way. He has not come to wipe away the law either. He has come to fulfill it since we cannot. But the point that Jesus is pressing here is that pagans will fret over food and clothing, but your minds and hearts are to be elsewhere. You are set free from these worries and anxieties. “Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” You are free to pursue God’s kingdom and need not worry about earthly things. If your life consists only of the here and now, then you will be greatly concerned with all things earthly. But you have been born from above, you have eternal life ahead of you. This world is passing away and what will be left?

Your savior speaks comfort to you: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

God came to Abram in a vision, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Abram questioned God and God reassured him. “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them…so shall your offspring be.” He believed the promise of God and that trust was credited to him as righteousness. The passage you heard from Hebrews articulates this well as it recalls the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and so forth. It culminates, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.” That homeland is, “a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”

God’s promises are always fulfilled and the eternal life that He has promised to you is real. It is not a fantasy. But if we cling to the temporal and earthly, we deny the reality of heaven. Our hearts are then drawn away from the eternal reality and to this present reality. That order is upside down. Jesus calls you to trust in God to provide for all your needs. He knows what you need and He provides. You have been blessed with material resources here and now. For what? For your benefit and the benefit of your neighbor.

Four thousand and one hundred years ago, when Abraham looked up to heaven and numbered the stars, God knew you. You were one of those “stars” that God foresaw and foreknew who would hear the Gospel and believe on Jesus. Now in those intervening years, through all that has transpired, here you are. Sitting here today, hearing the word of God, giving thanks to God for His mercy, preparing to receive the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. All of this serves to demonstrate God’s steadfast love for you. He watches you. He watches over you. He knows what you need and He provides. Trust in Him.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.