In this age of microwave food, drive thru restaurants, drive thru banking, CDs faster computers, cellular phones, bigger houses, nicer cars, etc,it would appear that these things are the most important necessities in today's society. But are all these things really necessities, or, are they really just the luxuries that allows us to "keep up with the Joneses?"
Is it really that important to trade into a new car every two or three years? Why do you want a bigger house? Did you get a stain on the carpet or decide to change the wallpaper? What is important? Is your status in society, especially to those in your "inner circle",so important, that you neglect to see the needs of others? Do you consider your children to be a blessing or a commodity? If they somehow do not fit into your plans in life, do you just ship them off to boarding school? What is important? Does your job really require those eighty hours a week, or, are you really that caught-up in the "rat race",always trying to get a bigger piece of the cheese?
What is important? Jesus said in John10:10-The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Are you allowing the thief(Satan),to steal your life? Every time you devote a little more time at the office, or try a little harder to stay a head of the Joneses, you are allowing the thief to steal away precious time that cannot be replaced. This allows him to destroy your life, killing off what really is important in this life.
How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you seem to find more time for those "little pleasures of life",than time alone in prayer with God? Jesus said in the latter half of the scripture, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. What kind of life is Jesus speaking of? For one, he is speaking of an abundant spiritual life through a relationship with himself, the saviour .Sin destroyed our relationship with our heavenly father, and it took Jesus to give back to us our life (relationship) that we lost with God in the garden of Eden.
What is important? Is material wealth more important to you than spiritual wealth? Where do you set up your treasures? Jesus told us not to lay up treasures here on this earth, such as boats, cars, houses, money, etc, because these things will rust away, tear up, need repaired or replaced. Also, much material wealth opens a door for thieves to break in and steal what you have.
What Jesus instructed us to do, is to set up our treasures in heaven. For in heaven, there will not be any rust thievery, or corruption. But the most important portion of this passage is found in the next verse of Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Where is your heart in life? Are you laying up for treasures here upon this earth through material wealth? If you are, then that is where your heart is. That is powerful, but it is God's truth.
What is important? Paul wrote in II Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
That is rather self-explanatory isn't it. All of what we see now in this life is temporary. But it is those things which we do not see now in this life, which are eternal. The bible states that this earth will melt with fervent heat. That includes all of the material wealth and gain that we can see now on this earth.
When Jesus said that he came that they might have life more abundantly, it was not limited completely to spiritual life only. God does not mind us having nice things in this world, for God created this world for us to live in, and he also gave us a mind to create and invent things in order to contribute to everyday life, and allow it to run a little more smoothly as knowledge increased in mankind.
But he did not intend for us to set our treasures on this materialistic earth, for it will all come to an end one day. We are to seek our God and establish that lost relationship with him again, setting our treasures in heaven.
What is important? In this world of today, when people will kill someone because they want their jacket or tennis shoes, it is obviously clear, that the world is setting their treasures in all of the pleasures and material wealth that this world has to offer. With no regard for life as precious as when God gave it, society as a whole, is on a downward spiral toward complete destruction.” What can you do for me, or what's in it for me",is the attitude of this world, when it should be "what can I do to help you?"
What is important? Do you need to re-evaluate your life and your priorities? Do you fall into the category of those who are setting up their treasures here on earth? Have you ever stopped and took the time to see what is really going on in this world? Or, are you safely tucked away inside your own little bubble, hoping that it does not get popped?
Next time you decide to work overtime just to get some extra money to but that.....whatever, stop and think about it, open your heart and begin to look through the eyes of Jesus, and then you will really begin to see what is important, and if you are setting up your treasures here on earth or in heaven. Oh, and one last thing, ask yourself, what would Jesus do?
Nov 20,1997
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