Tuesday October 25, 2022

Today is Tuesday, October 25 and we are learning what Jesus says about treasure.

I enter this time of prayer seeking to still the chaos of the world and silence the noise of my mind. I center myself upon the One true God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I want to learn the definition of true treasure. Teach me what it means to live the kingdom life with You as my personal instructor and the Holy Spirit as my guide. Wherever You lead, I will follow. Amen.

I seek the Lord and praise Him with the ancient words of Psalm 119.

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:10-12

Pause and Pray

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is concerned about His followers’ attitude to money and material possessions. The treasures of earth and heaven are juxtaposed and compared. Treasures on earth give no permanent security or satisfaction. These temporal possessions can be stolen by thieves or damaged over time by moths, mice, woodworm, rust, decay, etc. Clothing no longer fits and goes out of style, technology becomes quickly outdated, furniture becomes worn and loses value. It is not so much the disciple’s wealth or poverty that concerns Jesus – it is his or her loyalty. The enticements of consumerism and materialism put me in direct conflict with loyalty to God. If my heart treasures the things of this world, little room is left for my Lord.

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. Matthew 6:19-21

John Wesley examines the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus carefully contrasts treasures on earth with treasures in heaven. Wesley encourages Christians to be good stewards of their money and possessions – not to squander them away, not to sell them rashly without good reason, and to creatively employ them for God’s good purposes. To gain treasure in heaven, I am encouraged to invest myself in close friendships and family relationships. I am to live a life habitually doing good, showing mercy, and giving generously. I am to care for those who are poor, hungry, and naked, welcome the stranger and visit the sick and imprisoned. I am to defend the oppressed, fight against injustice and help widows and orphans.*

Ask: How do I spend my time investing in relationships and serving the poor? How might God want to use my possessions or assets to advance His kingdom work?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, teach me Your truth about treasure in heaven. As I consider all the time, money and resources I have under my control, show me how to be a good steward and invest every moment, every dime and every item in what really matters – Your kingdom. Let me not squander Your good gifts on what is worthless. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

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. Matthew 6:19-21

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Jesus speaks to me this morning from the ancient words of the Sermon on the Mount. His words are timeless and cut right to the heart of my motivations and intentions. Whatever word or phrase strikes me today, I record it in my journal and carry it with me throughout my day. I seek to grow in maturity and understanding as a disciple. That means learning how to live a kingdom life in a world driven by consumerism and materialism. What might the Holy Spirit want me to change in how I live my daily life?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I invite you in to examine my calendar, checking account, daily agenda, prioritized checklist and upcoming tasks. I set the nitty gritty of my daily grind before You and ask You to reveal the places of hidden treasure that I am currently overlooking. Where should I invest my time, money and resources? Come, Lord, be my guide. Amen.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44

*Resources: Sermons on Several Occasions, Volume II – Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, by John Wesley, edited by William J. Abraham, 2021.

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to invest my time, money and resources to discover the treasures of heaven.

Amen