Treasures

Judi Wheat, Next Gen Preschool Curriculum Coordinator

“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 (NKJV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

In August of 2022, Bryan and I had the privilege of visiting Newport, Rhode Island with Maestro Tours. We toured the Gilded Age (1877-1896) Mansions, such as The Breakers and The Marble House. Opulent wealth and luxurious furnishings were on display everywhere we looked. And, interesting that the owners spent less than two months a year in residence at their, what they referred to as, “Summer Cottages.”

We also toured the hillsides surrounding Newport, seeing multimillion dollar homes owned by today’s wealthy, such as Jay Leno and Judge Judy. We also toured by boat the Newport Harbor, filled with moored multimillion dollar yachts. The display of earthly treasures was overwhelming.

As we were touring these various venues, the verses in the Bible from Matthew 6:19-21 kept going through my mind— “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” … and, especially, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When we arrived home, I took a visual inventory of our home and my “stuffed” closets. I asked myself, was I doing the same thing that I had observed in Newport: storing up treasures on earth rather than in heaven? What was my heart focused on? Jesus words from the Sermon on the Mount spoke to me and were very convicting. Don’t go after everything you want. Don’t build your own empire or kingdom on earth. Don’t run after money or possessions or fame, making them idols (your treasures).

Rather, my focus should be on God and obedience to His commands, as well as loving Him and others. By pursuing Jesus and His righteousness, I receive Him, along with joy, peace, love, and so much more. Plus, Jesus is all I need.

Since that time, I have changed my spending habits. I have started cleaning out the physical stuff and placing more of my focus on seeking God’s Kingdom first and storing up and investing in treasures of eternal value.