Under Lock and Key

Matthew 6: 19-21 & 24

When something is meaningful to us, we go to great lengths to protect it. Americans spend billions of dollars each year protecting their homes and other valuables. Cars have alarms. Jewelry and important papers are put in fireproof safes. Most people feel banks are the best place to secure their money. My husband is meticulous about checking our credit card and bank statements. Guarding our “treasures on earth” takes a lot of time and effort, but what about our “treasures in heaven?” What if we gave them the same time and attention?

For some reason we don’t think of securing our heavenly treasures the same way. We often let our faith go unchecked for long periods, figuring nothing will happen. It’ll be there when we really need it, right? How ironic considering faith is our most valuable possession.

Our belief in Christ will bring us riches beyond compare, but since it’s not tangible, we don’t think of it quite like money or jewelry or cars or houses. Our faith deserves our full attention. When our time spent on earthly treasures diminishes, then our devotion to serve God only will begin to take precedence and bring us more joy than we could ever imagine.

So how do we protect our heavenly resources? By getting into the daily habit of spending time in quiet thought, God’s Word and prayer. This is how we will store up the right kind of treasure.
 
Now keep in mind, there is an enemy out there who would love nothing more than to see us lose our way, but having a routine of being in God’s Word and praying is like an insurance policy for our faith. We just have to make the investment that will yield the greatest return.