Being Drawn!

We are faced with constant choices regarding what we refer to as "our" time and "our" things. How does that impact the direction of our focus? Are our eyes left predominantly focused on this realm or the eternal one to come? What is it that we are most being drawn toward?

Jesus exhorted. . .
"(19) DO NOT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES ON EARTH, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO." ( Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

In an excerpt from Dr. John Barnett's "Discipline Yourself For Godliness" [which I received via e-mail October 12, 2009 from Crosswalk.com] he noted, "People who lay up treasures on earth spend their life backing away from their treasures. To them, death is loss. People who lay up treasures in heaven look forward to eternity; they are moving daily toward their treasures. To them, death is gain. Those who spend their life moving away from their treasures have more and more reasons to despair. Those who spend their life moving toward their treasures have more and more reasons to rejoice."

Doesn't that sound like the results of what Jesus warned against (a focus on earthly treasure) and exhorted toward (a focus on the HEAVENLY)? What despair to be found clutching the things of this life that we know will be someday left to others. No wonder Solomon called that vanity. (read Ecclesiastes 2:18-21) However, what a joy to recognize the AWESOME INHERITANCE that is to be ours in Heaven when our life on earth is through! Continually being drawn toward that HEAVENLY INHERITANCE is cause for great rejoicing.

Paul had his perspective right when he stated. . .
"For to me TO LIVE IS CHRIST, and TO DIE IS GAIN." ( Philippians 1:21 ESV)

As long as Paul lived his life in the flesh it was going to be for Christ. His greatest personal gain would be when he departed this life to be forever with the Lord.

One could gain the whole world and be the poorest of the poor with the loss of their soul. ( Matthew 16:26) On the other hand, one could lose all their worldly goods and be the richest of the rich in gaining ETERNAL LIFE and the HEAVENLY INHERITANCE associated with it. May our greatest treasure be laid up IN HEAVEN so that continually being drawn toward it we will have all the reason in the world (and IN HEAVEN) to rejoice!

Have a great day WITH A HEARTHOLD ON HEAVEN!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Treasure