Matthew 6:19-21

“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.”

Jesus is coming soon! I hope that we can all agree on that. No, we are not setting dates and times, but we acknowledge that the time is short. How, then, should we be living here? When was the last time that you shared the Gospel or told someone that Jesus loved them? When was the last time that you asked a friend to attend church with you? Are we actively trying to reach people for the Kingdom? Is the church you attend actively sharing the Gospel? Are you reaching out to the poor, the needy, and the forgotten and making a way for them to reach Jesus?

A dear friend of mine ministers to ex-convicts; they offer meals, Bible studies, and just general help. They bring them together with other Christians to befriend them and accept them and share the simplicity of the Gospel. Another one goes to the brothels and offers the young women a way out and those that don’t want out, a way through. This ministry provides food, help, hygiene products, and sometimes just a shoulder to cry on. He recounts a time he simply sat with a young woman who had been beaten by a client; she just needed a safe person’s shoulder to grieve on. He sat with her and reminded her that Jesus loved her.

“Consider how precious a soul must be when both God and the devil are after it.” – Charles Spurgeon. What if we understood that the real treasure of Heaven is the people — the people that, over the past 6,000 years of man’s existence, have humbled themselves, repented, and placed their faith in the salvation we have in Jesus? These are the treasures of Heaven. You and I, saved in Jesus, are the real treasures of Heaven. Treasures that are bought and redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.

All too often, we devalue people, and sadly, Christians are often the worst at this. We forget that ALL of us are broken people, sinful people who have nothing but the grace of God to look to. We forget that we are horrible, rotten sinners who needed the blood of Jesus to wash us clean, and if we are to be honest, we simply did not even know how sinful we were until we met Jesus.

How is it that you and I can pass up the opportunities to share the Gospel, help someone, serve someone, and simply make life a bit better for someone? Jesus came to us and put us on His back, carried us, and paid out of His own for us to be saved. And yet, knowing that Jesus is returning soon, we sit by and let people go to Hell and say/do nothing. I think we forget the judgment that is coming our way when Jesus returns. We have invested in earthly treasures, and we are happy with the earthly returns that come from them, and all too many of us, me included, have very little to show in Heaven. Will you and I receive any of these crowns from the Lord?

2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

1 Peter 5: 1-4, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

James 1:2, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

There are many verses about the crowns we shall receive. So, I ask you and I, where is the treasure we hold dear? Is it here or in Heaven? Are we tied to things, or are we invested in people? The Lord will hold us all to account? Jesus came to die to save sinners, people, and He is still focused on people. He is still calling sinners to repentance. Are you involved in taking the truth to them? If not, why not? If Jesus is still doing it, what is more important than that? The answer is NOTHING.

Jesus is coming; will you greet Him with the treasure of saved people? People that you helped to find salvation just like someone helped you, or will you be empty-handed?

God bless you,

Dr. Sean Gooding
Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church
70 Victoria Street, Elora, Ontario