A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

AN EVERLASTING TREASURE  

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

What do you think of when you read the word “treasure?” You might have thought of a gold laden Spanish galleon submerged under hundreds of feet of emerald green Caribbean water waiting to be discovered. In this world of almost instant high-tech billionaires your thoughts might have focused on how you might use your lap top to become one of the richest people in the world. “Treasures” have various sources, come in variety of packages, but all of them revolve around wealth, riches, and money.   

Jesus’ words in today’s devotional verses refocus your thoughts regarding treasures. He does not have in mind gold mines, business successes, or winning the jack pot at the local casino. His words have nothing to do with earthly riches. On another occasion Jesus asked this question, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:36-37) The old saying is true, “You cannot take it with you!” Earthly wealth cannot purchase heaven for you.  

To set your heart on something means you want whatever that is very, very much and you aim to achieve or obtain it. You may set your heart on the riches of the world and even obtain them. Nevertheless, having them will benefit you only while you remain alive. Brinks trucks do not follow hearses. You cannot take earthly wealth with you.   

There is only one treasure that endures for all eternity. It is the faith God has given you in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Living and dying in your faith in Jesus grants you an eternal life in heaven where moths and vermin cannot destroy, and where thieves cannot break in and steal it. Through your faith in Jesus, you will inherit paradise that needs no ongoing maintenance, no continuing oversight, and no personal diseases with which to contend.   

Prayer: Fill my heart, O Lord, with the treasure of heaven through Jesus Christ in whose name I pray this. Amen. 

Glorious things of you are spoken, Zion, city of our God;  
He whose word cannot be broken Formed you for His own abode,  
On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake your sure repose?  
With salvation’s walls surrounded, You may smile at all your foes. 

See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love,  
Well supply your sons and daughters And all fear of want remove.  
Who can faint while such a river Ever will their thirst assuage?  
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver, Never fails from age to age. 

Round each habitation hov’ring, See the cloud and fire appear  
For a glory and a cov’ring, Showing that the Lord is near.  
Thus deriving from their banner Light by night and shade by day,  
Safe they feed upon the manna Which God gives them on their way. 

Savior, since of Zion’s city I through grace a member am,  
Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Your name.  
Fading are the world’s vain pleasures, All their boasted pomp and show; 
Solid joys and lasting treasures None but Zion’s children know.  

Glorious Things of You Are Spoken - LSB 648