“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
One’s attitude toward wealth is another barometer of righteousness. The Pharisees believed the Lord materially blessed all He loved. They were intent on building great treasures on earth. But treasures built here are subject to decay (moth destroys cloth and rust destroys metal; cf. James 5:2-3) or theft, whereas treasures deposited in heaven can never be lost.
The Pharisees had this problem because their spiritual eyes were diseased (Matt. 6:22). With their eyes they were coveting money and wealth. Thus, they were in spiritual darkness. They were slaves to the master of greed, and their desire for money was so great they were failing in their service to their true Master, God.
If a person is occupied with the things of God, the true Master, how will he care for his ordinary needs in life, such as food, clothing, and shelter? The Pharisees in their pursuit of material things had never learned to live by faith.
Is it wrong then to prepare for the day when one can no longer work? Of course not. To the contrary, while one is not to love what one possesses; God’s Word teaches us good business practices. Some seem to think that such preparedness is a lack of faith but one can prepare without loving what is laid back. There are too many stories of people who hoarded money and things and never got to enjoy them. One such true story was that of a man with over a million dollars stuffed in his mattress. It was found there when he died and yet he lived like a pauper. Money is for the using that we might bless others and the work of Christ on earth. God blesses His people with money. We may hold it but He owns it. Amen and amen.
