THOUGHTS FROM MATTHEW

February 15

Text: Matthew 6:19-21

 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay 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 will your heart be also. (NASB)

“What is the focus of my life?”  That seems to be the question these days.  How can a question be so simple, so important, and yet so difficult at the same time?  You have got to eat, pay the bills, have a place to sleep, have access to transportation, have a job, and try to have some time for a little fun! Yet, is eating, paying the bills, sleeping, getting places, having jobs, and having fun of more importance, of equal importance, or of less importance than spiritual concerns? 

Is it a matter of age—if you are young, focus on the material, but if you are old, focus on the spiritual.  Is it a matter of health?  If you are healthy, focus on the material, but if you are sick, focus on the spiritual.  Is it a matter of opportunity for material success?  If you have abundant material opportunity, focus on the material, but if you have little opportunity for material success, focus on the spiritual.  Yet, if everything is considered, it is just not that simple!  Like it or not, your death must be in the equation.

Jesus gave a simple but complex answer.  His answer is based on this basic understanding: Everyone invests life in something.  His simple but complex answer: Invest your life in something that is lasting.  If natural processes can destroy your investment, it is not lasting.  If your investment can be stolen, it is not lasting.  Jesus said, “Have this basic understanding: true investments are internal, not external.When we invest, our investment consumes us—it measures success and failure, measures our significance, determines how we look at life, and even decides how we think other people see us.

Do not become one more sob story about how the physical can turn against you!  Even more important than how you look at yourself is how God looks at you.

Suggestion for reflection: Examine how you really invest life.  (Read 1 Timothy 6:9-12.)

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