JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to store up heavenly treasures.
That is what Jesus instructed us to do in Matthew chapter 6. He said in Verse 19, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth 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.”
While the treasures of earth last only for a little while, heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. They are out of the reach of bandits. They will not fade out, wear out, or rust out. They are precious trophies for faithful service to God.
First Timothy 6:17 and 18 highlights how we can invest in heavenly treasure. Put our hope in God rather than in our wealth. Do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share.
Take the Daily Challenge to store up heavenly treasure on the Journey of faith.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is the meaning behind the Parable of the Rich Fool?”
Jesus told this parable in Luke 12 to show that life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.
A rich man had a bumper crop year. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops”. Then, he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many ears. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”
But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then, who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” Jesus said, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves, but is not rich toward God.”
The point of this parable is not to suggest that it is wrong to save money or plan for retirement, but it does highlight the folly of storing up for ourselves treasures on earth without storing up treasures in heaven in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
