God Is Our True Treasure!

In his book Facing Loneliness, J. Oswald Sanders writes, 'the round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache...The millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often more unhappy than his audience.'

Sanders goes on the emphasize that being successful often fails to produce satisfaction. Then he refers to Henry Martyn, a distinguished scholar, as an example of what he is talking about. Martyn, a Cambridge University student, was honored at only 20 years of age for his achievements in mathematics.

In fact, he was given the highest recognition possible in that field. And yet he felt an emptiness inside. He said that instead of finding fulfillment in his achievements, he had "only grasped a shadow.'

After evaluating his life's goals, Martyn sailed to India as a missionary at the age of 24. When he arrived, he prayed, 'lord, let me burn out for You.' In the next 7 years that preceded his death, he translated the New Testament into three difficult Eastern languages. These notable achievements were certainly not passing 'shadows.'  -Our Daily Bread, January 21, 1994

The Bible says a great deal about money. It speaks about earning and spending, saving and giving. It even tells about wasting our money! It puts to rest two commonly held misconceptions about money...

1) That money provides ultimate security (Proverbs 23:4-5; Luke 12:15) and;

2) That God condemns the rich for being rich.

He certainly hates false gain, wrong motives for getting rich, and lack of compassionate generosity among the wealthy. But some of the most godly people in the Bible were rich (Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia).

The Bible also teaches that both the rich and poor must fight similar battles, such as envy of others, and greed for more. One passage in particular addresses several attitudes that often accompany money. It is found in 1Timothy 6:6-10,17-19.

Let's be honest for a minute, everybody wants to be happy; be financially secure; enjoy good health; and live comfortable lives. But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when loved ones die? When our health deteriorates? Our money is stolen? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.

Think of how the world praises the wealthy man, and such attitudes are tremendously flattering. People jump to attention and shower their interest upon us. Wealth brings prestige and influence. They pay attention to what we say simply because we've got money. How tempting it all is, the eyes following us, the whispers, the invitations, the pull.

The New Testament tells us that above all, as Christians in the world, we're governed by an awareness of how deceitful money is. It says to us, "You've made it. You're a success. This is what it's all about." It is the great deceiver, because this is not at all what life is all about. Think of the greatest man who walked this earth; he had nowhere to lay his head.

We are not to pursue wealth, or come under its power, because it is in God that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. To him we look. Upon him we live. With him we walk. To please him is our end. He is our goal and our great reward. "Whom have I in heaven but Thee?" we cry. "And there is none upon earth I desire but Thee." That is the logic of Christianity.

The Bible teaches us that everything on earth, all the riches of this world, belong to God. Everything we are blessed with - our jobs, our homes, etc. belong to God. God's riches are infinite. His riches are inexhaustible. He is gloriously rich. We can't imagine how rich he is!

If you take anything away from this message today, remember, all lasting wealth is at the right hand of God. That is our treasure and that is also where our heart is. We have no other obsession, and nothing else to which our hearts are given. For us to live is Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 6:19; Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:15; Hebrews 13:5; Mark 4:16; 2 Chronicles 1:11-12; Deuteronomy 8:18; Ecclesiastes 2:26; 2 Corinthians 8:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all that you do. The love of life, the peace in my heart all comes from your grace. Please help me to show your love and grace to others as you have done for me. Thank you Lord for being a part of my life. Amen

May God bless you!

Riley