Where Is Your Treasure?

Matthew 6:19-21

19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Colossians 3:2

2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Where your treasure is there will the heart be also.

What is treasure?

Webster defines treasure as wealth that is accumulated or something that is very much valued.

Treasure can come in many different forms.  The old saying one mans trash is another mans treasure.  Many of us have things that we value and that are sentimental to us.  Where your treasure is there will the heart be also. 

The heart is known to be the seat of emotions or passions.   The heart in a figurative sense is your thoughts or feelings.   If someone were to attack your family, you would immediately begin to fight for them.   They are your treasure, and you are passionate about them.  Nobody is going to hurt them or do them any wrong.  And anything in life that is a treasure to you, your affections are going to be tied to it in someway.

Treasure is something that has captivated the imagination and desire of man since the beginning of time.  Many wars and battles have been fought over a countries wealth and possessions.  I want what you have, and if you will not give them to me, I will take it by force.

During world war 2, many countries did not at first realize the full intentions of the Nazi party. They would welcome them into their country with open arms, they wanted to pacify and appease them.  But little did they know that these men were after there treasure and wealth.  They wanted their paintings, and jewelry, carvings, and statues.They wanted their money, anything that was of value they were there to capture it.  They were consumed with a lust for wealth and power.

Throughout history we read of men obsessed with the idea and stories of great treasure.

He heard of it’s magical ability to restore the youth of a man.  The spanish explorer Juan Ponce De Leon set sail in 1513, searching for the Fountain of Youth.  His story said that he had grown dissatisfied with material wealth and must find something more appeasing.  But though he searched for it, though his passion for wealth and treasure drove him on, he never found it.

In 1541 Francisco Orellana and Gonzalo Pizarro began to search for the famous El Dorado.  The Seven Cities of Gold.   They had heard stories and legends of much gold, jewels, and wealth to be had in El Dorado.  But all they seemed to find was death, disease, and destruction.  No treasure to be found.

In 1518, Hernan Cortez left the Spanish colonies with the blessings of the king and Queen to seek out wealth for Spain.  He landed in South America in 1519.  He believed so much in the wealth that lay in that land, that when he landed he burned his ships so that they could not easily turn back.  He was going to have the treasure at all costs, though he would pay a high price for it.

One day three men began to journey in search of something they believed in.  They knew of the prophesies and the stories that were told of a baby that was to be born to become a savior to all nations.  They followed his star that was in the east of the sky, searching for him.  When they found the Lord Jesus they brought him gifts and worshiped him.

I’m here to tell you today that wise men and women still seek him.  I want to search for him, I want to find him.  I want to be where he is.

Acts 17:27

27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

I want to seek him.

Many men look for wealth and many places, but God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  He provides for all my needs according to his riches and glory.  His arm is not short, his promises are not slack.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  What he said he is going to do, he will do.

But where is your treasure?

The word of God says where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Today our treasure can lye in many places.  For some your treasure may be in your material wealth, the things that you have and possess.  I need a certain vehicle, or a certain house, or a certain standard of living.

Perhaps my treasure lies in my accomplishments.  Maybe it is hobbies or vacations.  Your treasure could be your desire to be noticed or your own vanity.  Or perhaps my treasure is that thing called time.

Is it sin that I am not willing to lay aside? 

Where are they?

Mar 10:17  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 

Mar 10:18  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 

Mar 10:19  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 

Mar 10:20  And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 

Mar 10:22  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 

Mar 10:23  And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 

Sell what you have, take up your cross, and come follow me.  Wait, that’s what I have to do to inherit eternal life?  That’s what I have to do to be saved?  I thought it would be much easier than that.  I have much wealth and treasure.  I want to do this, but my heart is else where.

My affections are on things above, not on things of the earth.  I'm a stranger and pilgrim down here on this earth.

   This world is not my home I’m just passing through.  I’m waiting on that great catching away of the church.  God is returning for a bride that hath made herself ready.  I want to make sure I’ve laid up some treasures in heaven.  

   How about you?