Treasure that Lasts Forever
Every human grows up in a world filled with desires and needs. We learn from an early age that we prefer comfort over discomfort. We discover that it is easier to have plenty than it is to have little.
Material possessions can certainly create comfort in our lives—the new cars, the bigger houses, or the latest phones. It's easy to think that having more will make you happier, too.
But nothing you can buy will last forever.
Everything that we collect here on earth has an expiration date. Cars break down. Houses crumble. New phones become obsolete—really quickly. In the long run, we really have no control over the things of this world.
So instead, Jesus tells us to focus on storing up treasures in heaven, where things do not deteriorate or disappear. Rather than focusing on piling up earthly things, we should be focused on heavenly things that will last eternally.
Everything we own was actually given to us by God’s grace.
We can break the habit of amassing treasure on earth by seeing all of our material possessions as something given by God for us to share with others. We can also shift our priorities toward making an eternal impact in people’s lives by sharing the hope of Jesus with them.
What small steps can you take today to begin to shift your priorities from earthly treasure to heavenly treasure? What has God given you that you can share with others to make a difference in their life as well? Take some time to pray to God about these things.
Peace That Stays
Everyone wants peace. In the world, in our homes, and in our hearts. In difficult times, we seek comfort. In heartbreaking moments, we want a peace that remains steady despite the circumstances.
The Bible teaches about this kind of peace. Philippians 4:7 describes the peace of God. No amount of self-talk or meditation can manufacture this kind of peace—it only can come from God Himself. Preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon described this kind of peace as the perfect calm and happiness of God, who is always content.
This peace transcends all understanding. It's the idea that something goes beyond our normal way of thinking. That is a beautiful description of what God’s peace does. It exceeds our understanding and surpasses anything we could expect or imagine. It also guards and protects our hearts and minds.
How do we get this kind of peace? The surrounding verses in Philippians offer guidance. Philippians 4:6 tells us to take every anxious thought and turn it into a ...