TREASURE IN HEAVEN

WISH TO BE PERFECT?
 
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Mt 19:21-22)

COME AND FOLLOW JESUS!

The biggest stumbling block to be perfect has always been man's attachment to his valuable material possessions that he can not let go. When you come to follow Jesus, you must leave all things behind.

I was enjoying my work over the computer in updating my books of account but I have to leave it behind because of my service to the Lord.

Each time I come to follow Jesus, He always makes sure that my joy will be full and complete. No material wealth can ever take the place of the Lord in my heart for in him I have found peace and love that can never be bought.

Lord, you are the most valuable treasure I wish for.  Only in you can I ever enter into life and with you, I have everything.

Thank you so much for your Spirit that moves me to give priority to you above anything in this world. When it comes to you, I can leave all things behind.

In a very special way, I pray for all those who are too much attached to their material wealth. May they fully understand the truth that all these came from you and at any given time, you can take them all away from them. What matters most is you who is the giver of all things and not the gifts or treasures that they possess.

May you always be praised and glorified in all that I say and do. With much love and gratitude I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

The Greatest Treasure

THE WORD OF THE LORD IS THE GREATEST TREASURE OF ALL TIME THAT BEARS FRUIT TO ALL THOSE WHO ABIDE BY IT.

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

The love of worldly possessions is a sort of bird line, which entangles the soul, and prevents it flying to God. What do you possess if you possess not God? (St. Augustine).

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalms 19: 8 - 11).


Prayer

Lord, in the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. Your testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Your testimonies are my heritage for ever; yea, they are the joy of my heart. With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments (Psalms 119: 14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131).

WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." -- Matthew 6:19-21

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Tim. 6:9-10). The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." -- Luke 12:20-21

A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat (Prv. 13:8). Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17). A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished (Prv. 28:20).

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. -- Luke 12:33

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty (Prv. 11:24). Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth (Dt. 8:18).

One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth (Prv. 13:7). Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (2 Cor. 6:10).

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him ( James 2:5)? God bestows wealth on those who love Him and make their treasuries full (Prv. 8:21). He shows no partiality and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands (Job 34:19).

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint (Prv. 23:4). Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

The LORD can give you much more than that (2 Chr 25:9). The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it (Prv. 10:2). The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity (Dt. 28:11). The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy (Gn. 26:13).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Prv. 3:5).