Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
You provide all we need to sustain our lives; each person is given as you have seen fit. Lord, our hope should always remain in you, with our focus on feeding our faith. As Jesus said, “where your faith is, there your heart will also be.” No one can steal what we believe, nor can anything destroy our faith, but we can fail to provide for our faith. We need to hear in your word the promise of our salvation daily. Lord, you know that no one can steal our faith from us, but we can be led astray if our faith becomes weak. The world would love to convince us otherwise that we need to focus on this life. However, your word and sacraments are the treasures we need. Your word tells us how we fell into sin, and there is nothing we can do to overcome our sin. You sent your Son into this world to take all our sins into himself; by trusting in Jesus, we have been gifted the forgiveness of sins. Faith delivers to us eternal life and salvation. We receive this not from our own efforts or desire but through the Holy Spirit, who created the faith in our hearts. So, by hearing your word, we store the treasures in heaven. May our hearts follow this heavenly treasure. Give us opportunities, the courage, and love to share this message with others that they may learn about you and store up their treasures in heaven. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
This life is temporary; what comes next is eternal—damnation or life. So, where should your focus be? Christ has already paid for you to have eternal life store up a treasure that never ends.