Life on earth is temporary, so how do we live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling? By living for the One who isn’t temporary.
Life as a Vapor – Part 2
Krista Hengesh
“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 6:19-20
Last week we discussed how life is a vapor, looking at the fact that at some point our hearts will stop beating and our lungs will stop breathing and we will cease to exist on this earth. My prayer with this article was not to scare you or have you fear death. Rather, I wanted to shed light on the truth that the issues we are dealing with and the seasons we are going through, in light of eternity, all serve as building blocks to God molding us into the women He created us to be.
This week, we will be looking at how we can find meaning and fulfillment in our lives while we are here on earth- pursuing treasures that have eternal value and weight in Heaven.
What Do You Treasure?
Take a moment to think about what you treasure; what things are you pursuing or working towards in your life?
Is it…
- A new job, an interview, a raise, a new position in a company?
- Losing weight, eating healthier, getting in shape?
- Making money to buy a new outfit, a car, an outdoorsy toy, a flight to a vacation destination?
- Being open to a possible new relationship, or being a better sister, daughter or friend?
- Loving yourself and who you are in a deeper way, seeing yourself through God’s eyes?
- Taking your faith more seriously, wanting to memorize more verses or understand the power of prayer more?
- Wanting to seem or act or look a certain way to get attention or popularity from others?
The list could (and does) go on forever.
But take a moment and think about this for yourself, and write it down.
What is it that you treasure?
Earthly Treasures
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19
The first part of our verse in Matthew 6, talks about storing up treasures where moth and vermin cannot destroy, and where thieves cannot break in and steal, so here are a few facts about those three things to get your brain thinking about this verse in a tangible and realistic way.
- Moths feed on natural materials such as wool, silk, fur, felt, hair and feathers. They eat anything that can dissolve in water and feed on nectar from flowers, tree sap, bird droppings, animal dung, pollen, and rotting fruit (What do Moths eat?).
- Vermin are pests and nuisance animals that destroy crops and livestock. Think foxes, rodents, and insect pests (Wiki).
- Thieves steal well… everything and anything they can get their hands on (personal experience).
So, in light of those things, what on your list of treasures could be destroyed or stolen?
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are things that we have to work for on this earth that can be destroyed or stolen like money for a car or a bike to get us around town, or food to sustain us, or a house to live in, or clothes to keep us warm and dressed, or working super hard for a job or a raise, or to get healthy, fit and in shape.
BUT what I want you to remember is those earthly things do not define you, and they should not be the sole focus of your heart. Problems arise when the temporary things of this earth overwhelm our minds and become our everything.
You will be distracted from the main purpose of life, which is to live closely and in step with Jesus- storing up treasures in Heaven.
Heavenly Treasures
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:20
What is it then that moth, vermin, and thieves cannot destroy or steal, and how do I store those things up?
Isn’t this kind of the question of life??
What is it that I can do that will give me meaning and fulfillment on this earth? What is it that I can do that will matter?
This question is very complicated and different for each person, but the simple answer to that is to live your life storing up treasures that have eternal weight in Heaven.
These are things like:
- Loving others well (1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:21; John 15:12)
- Living to bring glory to God (Psalms 115:1; 1 Peter 4:11)
- Serving others with no need of acknowledgment (Mark 10:25; 1 Peter 4:10)
- Giving generously without expecting anything in return (Proverbs 19:17; Luke 6:37-38)
- Putting others above yourself (Philippians 2:3; Romans 12:10)
- Intentionally being there for others in both the good and bad seasons. (Romans 12:13-15; 1 Corinthians 12:26)
Our lives are a compilation of our actions and thoughts, and what Paul says in Galatians about reaping what we sow could not be more true:
“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:7-9
How we choose to live each day, what we choose to sow, will directly affect our purpose and fulfillment in life.
How will you live to store up treasures in heaven?
The Greatest Treasure
There is one treasure that is worth living for more than any other, and it is the treasure of eternal life.
A parable in Matthew 13 compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a treasure being buried in a field. When a man found this treasure, he sold everything in order to buy the field and have that treasure.
The treasure of eternal life, life with God in Heaven forever, is a treasure worth giving everything up for. It is also a treasure that is meant to be shared with your friends.
If you believe that you will be in heaven for eternity, and you have friends who are not believers, then let this be your reminder to pursue them and be bold in telling them about your faith. Eternal life truly is the greatest treasure, and the most important thing we can live for, so I encourage you to make it the focus of your life each and every day- especially when it comes to telling others about it!
Heaven is going to be one INCREDIBLE party, and we need to be intentional in how we boldly talk with others about what we believe, because if we are a good friend- we will want them there with us.
Giving someone the gift of eternal life truly is the most important gift they can ever receive- a transforming treasure that will last forever.
So, Where Are Your Treasures? Where Is Your Heart?
Be real with yourself. Are you living for things that have eternal weight and bring glory to God, or do you find yourself working towards things that don’t matter in light of eternity? Start asking yourself these questions, and give yourself a heart check- because it is our hearts and motives that the Lord looks at.
- “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”– 1 Samuel 16:7b
- “I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” – Jeremiah 17:10
- “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord” – Proverbs 16:2
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered-how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” –Psalms 39:4-13 NLT
