As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Prayer: Upside-down Kingdom guide (English/Spanish). In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2022 in prayer together.
Day 14: Treasures in heaven
Matthew 6:19-24
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God
and money.”
What are you working for in life?
We live in a society that puts value on the accumulation of things, retirement accounts, experiences, etc. And I know too many people who, aligned with this, are working to store up treasures on earth. People who seek only the increase of their accounts or the accumulation of things. In this passage, Jesus says having that kind of mentality is foolish. Everything we gather in this life will be destroyed and/or stolen. You can’t take any of it with you when you die. Our pastor says, “you never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul!”
Jesus’ point is that we are to focus on what really matters, what is eternal and not on what is temporal. We will focus on our treasure, and will either collect it here on earth or in heaven. Wherever you are collecting your treasure is where you will be focused and will determine how you live.
Jesus goes on to give two examples. First, the eye. When our eyes are healthy, we are full or light and can see clearly. But when they are bad, then all we see is darkness. Focusing our treasure on earth is like having bad eyes. You do not have clear sight. You are blind. The second illustration is of masters. One cannot serve two masters. You can only love and serve one. Then he ends by saying you cannot serve both God and money. In Greek, the word for money is mamona, which can refer to “wealth and earthly goods” or to the Syrian god of riches. Jesus may have meant both. To prioritize money, wealth and goods on earth over treasures in heaven is the same as worshiping a false god in hopes of attaining more earthly treasures.
Prayer
Lord, in a world that values what we can gather here on earth, I pray you will help me to seek you. Help me know the treasure I seek is eternal and to align my life even more to love you and to love others. Help me see my success not in the things and money I have, but in how you use me for your Kingdom and to reach others.
