Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 21, 2024
Matthew 6:19-24
19 “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. 20 Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. 21 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how terrible that darkness will be! 24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Good Morning! Oh, what a beautiful morning!
It is so easy to be seduced into gathering earthly treasures. We see others with these things, and we want them to. What harm is having some things saved up for a rainy day? Surely, God wants us to be ready for trouble when it comes.
I seem to remember in Luke when we hear the parable of the rich fool: '” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:16-21). The rich fool's harvest was so great he ran out of room to store it.
Later in the same chapter, Jesus said, 'Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old' (Luke 12:33).
I think of things that I stocked up on at different times that got bad or became worthless by the time I needed them. Imagine buying a case of socks for your child. After all, they wear out or frequently become lost. The problem is that our children grow, and the supply of socks we stocked is suddenly too small for them.
By faith, we are to share what we have with those in need, and we will be blessed likewise. God provides for those who follow Christ. Don’t stock up on earthly treasures that will decay or lose value; gather those things that will lead you to heaven, like love, mercy, and kindness.
Faithful God, Thank you for creating us. We are distracted by the things that glitter and sparkle. Help us focus on serving you. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Seeking God first brings spiritual health and growth.
God provides for his children! Pastor Liz
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