Is your focus on earthly treasures - being content with the basics

Further reading at Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:2, Luke 21:-4 and 1 Peter 1:24-25

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

Some people, Christian or not, focus on their earthly treasures and how much they can accumulate in a lifetime whilst others who are barely scraping by, live month to month. Making sure that your family has a roof over their head, food on the table and somewhere to sleep is an essential in this world and family means everyone under your roof, whether your living on your own, as a couple, with children, without children - whatever your circumstance, everyone is important. If you follow Jesus, you'll already know he's coming back soon. If you don't follow Jesus, it's not too late - you can confess your sins and follow him today.

If you're successful, it's important to help others. Not just because you have extra but because you care about the welfare of others. Whether it be helping out family, giving to charity, donating to a food bank or providing necessities for the homeless.

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had. Luke 21:1-4

In a world where people struggle to pay bills, or have to use food banks or can’t put the heating on, morale and mental health can decline fast. Those who don’t have a lot can still help by checking on people – it doesn't cost anything to ask how someone is, smile or have a chat whether it's a neighbour who's alone or a stranger you pass by. There seems to be a lot more people focused on themselves these days so always be kind to everyone you meet.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth – Colossians 3:2

1 Peter 1:24-25 tells us that the word of the Lord will endure forever but our flesh and our glory will end. Whatever treasures you have accumulated here on earth will be left behind when you die. You can’t take anything with you so my message today is that if you can spare the time to help others and make their life easier, please do so. Give to a food bank, volunteer or pay forward* for a hot drink or a meal in a café. There is so much you can do. Be kind in a world that doesn’t seem to care and focus on Jesus instead of material wealth.

All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25

*Pay forward means to do something for someone because someone else has done something for you. Instead of paying back or returning the favour, you do a favour or pay something for someone else, hence the phrase 'paying forward', and if it's done anonymously, even better.

© Leap of Faith 2023