Earthly Treasures and Heavenly Treasures

We often feel like we have to be a certain way or reach a certain goal
because that’s what will make the people around us respect us. I have
struggled with this. I feel like I need to be at a certain point
financially, bringing in a certain amount of money, in order to not feel
ashamed of my life and what I’ve accomplished.

The Bible talks about how people admire the rich and those who are able to
save up a lot of wealth. But God makes it clear that no one will be able to
take anything with them in the end. Money is not going to do us any real
good when we die.

More important than money, Jesus reveals that God loves us unconditionally,
and through Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can be set free from every
kind of shame. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God is
already pleased with us, and we don’t need to accomplish anything to earn
His acceptance.

So, we don’t have to orient our lives around getting the respect of the
people around us. Instead, we can orient our lives around following Jesus.
As we make decisions in our lives, we don’t need to try to get rich.
Instead, we can look to God for guidance and wisdom in our finances. He
calls us to rely on Him for all our needs as we seek to live according to
His Word, and to store up treasures in heaven. Money and power are not
going to last, and we are not going to be able to take any cash we earn now
with us when we die. But if we follow Jesus, our lives can bear fruit that
will last (John 15:16; Galatians 5:22-23). • Emily Acker

• Have you ever felt pressure to live a certain way in order to earn
respect from others?

• Sometimes, we try to store up wealth to get people to accept us. Other
times, we try to get more money or possessions because we want to feel
secure. God sees our needs for acceptance and security, and He has
compassion on us. He wants us to rely on Him for all our needs, instead of
relying on money. Do you tend to want money more for acceptance or for
security?

• What questions do you have about money? Who are trusted Christians you
could talk to about these questions?

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do
not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20
(NIV)

Read Verses:

Ps.49.16-Ps.49.20|Matt.6.19-Matt.6.34