Let's Talk About Treasures in Heaven

[HKHaugan]

Let’s Talk About Treasures in Heaven

 “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 (Mt.6:19-21).”

 Here in the middle of His sermon, Jesus sums up the new world lifestyle that replaces the old.  It moves us forward from the old attitude reflected in 6:1 of looking righteous with being righteous. It follows the importance of prayer which opens the door to the new.  Social standing and wealth are replaced with Spiritude; faith, hope and love its qualities.  It’s thinking and acting spiritually with the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

 Treasures in Heaven are the new goal in this world anticipating life in the God’s Kingdom.  Put in simple terms, moving forward with our eyes toward Heaven and our feet on the ground.  It’s our spiritual vision as we move along in a secular world of people.  See the Cross here?  Like having the key to a treasure chest.  The Cross of faith opening each new moment with its people, events and the choices they present.  Think of the Blesseds.  Each one opens us to a part of the treasure.  The Sermon itself is a trove of riches in waiting, inner and outer challenges offering satisfaction and a hint to what awaits us in the Kingdom.  Furthermore, each Blessed has a promise of fulfillment.  

 Jesus sums it up in 6:33, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”  He underscores it well for each person in 7:7-12, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

 Ask for faith and you will get it.  Seek by faith and you will find.  Knock by faith and the door will be opened.  True too of hope and love.  It is Jesus giving these directions that is the door.  It is He who is the key and He who gives the Spirit and it is the Spirit who brings “His righteousness.”  Again, the issue is His righteousness.  That righteousness is the righteousness that Jesus lives and is the example of, ---faith.  Jesus’ faith is the key allowing the Holy Spirit to do three things, keep our heart and its attitude focused on Jesus, our mind scripturally centered and our motivation Spirit guided: the way the truth and the life, Spiritude at work.  It’s really a heart thing, isn’t it?

 Paul adds,” Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Col.3:1-3),” “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal.5:22-24).”