"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

 

 

Last spring I was asked to give the devotion at a Victorian tea party.  What God laid on my heart was a strong impression of what such a time of fellowship represented. In days long ago, a tea party had crisp linens, fine china, refreshing tea, delectable eats…What God pieced together for me from all those images that danced through my mind was what an awesome array of “treasures”. The Hebrew roots for treasures have several different meanings. “owtsar” is “a depository, an armory, a store house.” The root “genez” means “a treasure chest”, and “matmown” indicates a secret storehouse or valuable (referring to buried), hidden riches. So I ask you now, what types of things do you treasure? Children’s laughter, a mother’s smile, a friend’s embrace, an encouraging word from someone or maybe things like diamonds, a new car, or a new house?  What about seeing someone come to know Jesus or encouraging someone to know Jesus? 

 

There are so many types of treasures and so many places in which we keep or hide those things we consider of special value or significance. Why is the last part of the verse above so very important? Because, if we look back to the definition of a treasure, these are the things that we consider valuable and that we place into our storehouses. It is so critical that we are amassing our valuables in heaven and not here on earth. Our storehouses should not be filled with material possessions, wealth, or fame since heaven indicates they have no value up there. Instead, we should be concentrating our efforts on amassing a storehouse of people-spirits-souls who will be reunited in heaven. 

 

On your lists of treasures would you by chance list children? One of my favorite treasures is the sound of children’s laughter. It is contagious and just melts my heart. Or perhaps it is when they tell you without being prompted that they love you more than anything else on the earth, or “you’re the best mommy I ever had”. Think about Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. What a very precious treasure she was given by God Himself. This simple, young mother treasured her precious gift. Luke 2:19 records two different events where Mary witnessed a small glimpse into the ministry her son would one day enter when she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

 

Or perhaps you wrote down friends. I have some of the best friends a person could have. I have known my best friend since I was 5 years old. She has been with me through thick and thin, good times and bad. I would move heaven and earth for her, and she would do the same for me. I truly treasure her and the gift that God has given me in her. Also, about 5 years ago, God introduced me to some of the most precious women I have ever known in my Bible Study group at work, whom I now share time with at Christ Compels Ministry. These are some of the godliest women in my life and have prayed over me, loved me, cried with me, and celebrated with me. These ladies are so valuable to me every day of my life. Matthew 18:20 says “for where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” I know when I am with these ladies the Holy Spirit is there as well. One of them in particular has the spiritual gift of encouragement and always takes the time to send me a note or thought when she thinks I need a little “boost” for the week.

 

God gives each of us various treasures throughout our lives, but I hope what we realize is that the dearest treasures are the souls that will one day be with us in heaven. Isaiah 45:3 says, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Do you have any idea which people you have encountered are now “riches stored in secret places”, or in other words souls stored in heaven because of your witness or encouragement to them?

 

God also treasures us more than anything else on earth. Matthew 6:26 claims, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” You are valuable to God, and He loves you more than the birds of the air and the beasts of the fields. He treasures you in His heart and longs to have a personal relationship with you today. Will you trust Him now?   

 

Pray with me: Lord Heavenly Father, we pray today that You will impress upon us the treasures that we have in front of us in the people You place in our paths. May we look at them with Your eyes and see the beauty in each one. Lord, we also pray that You will remind us again of how much You treasure us. Renew our minds to be focused on You. Fill us up with Your Holy Spirit so that we may know You more intimately each and every day. We know that there is a God-sized hole in our hearts that only You can fill, and there is a me-sized hole in Your heart that only I can fill. May our holes be filled today.  We pray all of these things in the precious name of our Savior – Jesus!