Guard Against Covetousness and Find True Treasure, Part 4

December, 2004

by: Shelbi Cullen

Last month as we continued to discuss the issue of covetousness we took a look at Biblical Principle #2; “Set Your Mind on the Things above; where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God.” We discovered from God’s Word, that our lives are to be dominated by the pattern of heaven, bringing heavenly direction to our earthly duties. I then gave two applications to living a life that points itself toward the things of heaven? One, seek the Lord on a regular basis. (Psalm 62:8). And two, Study His Word Diligently. This month as we go back to our text in Luke 12:33-34, there is a third principle we can apply as we seek to lay aside the sin of covetousness. Biblical Principal #3; Stop Focusing on Earthly Treasure and Invest in the Eternal. Jesus says in verse 33, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” I have traveled to many poverty stricken countries and compared to most in the world, America has great wealth. And because we have so much, we often get blind–sighted with what’s important and eternal. Jesus’ point is if we focus too much on our treasure here on earth, than we think about them constantly. But if we instead focused on the treasure we have in heaven, than we would be more concerned with matters pertaining to the Kingdom and therefore would not have a heart that was tempted to covet. Jesus is not saying in verse 33, that we are to have an absolute prohibition of all earthly things. He’s saying we need to be careful because we often get caught up in the false thinking that our security lay in our material resources. Remember the Rich Fool? The biggest observation that can be made about him is his lack of generosity. He was like a lot of us, he hoarded his wealth. He didn’t have to build bigger barns, his old barns were just fine. He should have taken the overabundance and blessed the widow or the orphan which would have been customary in his day. If you really want to reveal the priorities of your heart, take a look at what you invest your money in. Here are three practical ways you can invest in the eternal: First, Give to your local church on a regular basis. There is evidence in the Bible that giving must occur on a regular basis. Not just when you feel led or generous, or instructed to do so for some special purpose. This is investing in the eternal because it supports our Pastors who preach the Word; the building we assemble in; our missionaries in the field; and those wonderful people in the Church Office that we rely on for so many things. Second, Practice Hospitality. Did you know this is a command in the Bible? (Rom. 12:13). We are to literally “love strangers.” Make it a priority to have people in your home. It builds relationships in the church. Third, Send Designated Funds to Your Missionaries. This type of giving is over and above your normal giving. These are just three ways to invest in the eternal. At the end of this life changing passage, Jesus concludes in Luke 12:34, “For where your Treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Take stock of your life. Where is your treasure and what does it consist of? Does it consist of trusting God, seeking His kingdom, and investing in the eternal? Or is it filled with covetousness? If you struggle with the sin of covetousness, I invite you to confess and repent. Lay that sin aside and put on the Lord Jesus.