CHRISTIAN, YOUR MONEY IS
NOT YOUR OWN
MATTHEW 6:19-21
[Do not store up for
yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where
thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and
steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.]
At the time is was
written, readers of the Gospel according to Matthew would have understood verse
19 as a command saying, “STOP storing FOR YOURSELVES treasures on earth…”
What many Christians
fail to consider is that God owns everything, and all things were created for
His glory and pleasure. If that was the case, and it is, the only right we have
to material things in our possession is for our daily needs: food, clothing,
shelter, medication (essentials to life); as exemplified by the existence of
Adam and Eve in the garden.
We may acquire wealth,
but not for ourselves and our family alone. This means that from day to day we
must consider the needs of others also (for FELLOWSHIP means just that),
specifically those of the household of faith, for that is the underlying
meaning of “store up”.
God must have complete
control over what He has given us: life, talents, wealth, etc. If the Lord
Jesus did not live for himself alone or lived to please himself, then, if we
claim to be His disciples, we must follow His example.
“STOP,” the Lord
commands.
If we ignore this order,
we are bound to lose all. What a scary thought.
