Money is great and things are great. If you have them, they are gifts from God to be treasured and enjoyed, and also to be used for purposes that glorify the Lord. A certain amount of money and a small portion of goods are necessary for life. I Timothy 6:7,8 says, “7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” But these things are only necessary for this life. What about that life which is to come?
In the book of Matthew we read, “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith... 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (excerpts from Matthew chapter six)
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” There is where you will find the true riches, treasures of God in Christ Jesus. Romans 9:23,24 says, “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”
The riches of God are very great. They start with mercy and the offer of salvation for all, and they continue with God’s wisdom and knowledge, His judgments and His ways, “32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:32,33)
The things of earth do not last, but the riches of God are eternal. Therefore it is important that we invest in treasures that last, in eternal treasures that will never fade away.
“19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)