Today’s scripture continues to support the current sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount. This week’s focus is on Matthew 6:19-34 and the reading from Luke is very similar to Matthew 6:19 which reads as follows: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
When I read these verses the phrase “invest in the eternal” comes to mind. If we are walking in obedience to Jesus’ commands and recognize that our true citizenship is in heaven then investing in the eternal only makes sense.
So how do we do this? It occurs to me that only three things in this world are going to last forever – God, His Word, and people. Given this short list, a strong focus on growing in our relationship with God, studying His Word, and investing in the people God brings into our lives are logical priorities. In the gospels Jesus gives us examples of how to live this kind of life. He prioritizes prayer (relationship with the Father), He shows a firm grasp of scripture (the OT during His time on earth), and in today’s reading He puts a focus on people (helping the poor). Thanks be to God for Jesus’ examples and the opportunities we have at UALC to grow in our efforts to “invest in the eternal”.
I have lived long enough to see things in my life that I thought were “all important” (treasures) fade away. They didn’t last. But God’s love, the truth of His Word, and the people He loves (all people!) remain – forever!
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