22.i. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19   Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 Proverbs 11:4    Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

 Ecclesiastes 5:10-14    He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

 Zephaniah 1:18    Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD.

 Hebrews 13:5     Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have

 Proverbs 16:16    How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

I was playing with our granddaughter the other day and she brought out a small treasure chest.  In it was her treasures.  There were plastic silver and gold coins, plastic ruby’s, bracelets of various plastic jewels.  They were her treasures.  I looked at them and thought how must God look at us when we collect and strive after what we consider our treasures. They must look like the plastic coins and jewels of my granddaughter in His eyes.  Certainly we chase after and consume much of our time seeking more and more treasures.  When these treasures become our desires then we fall prey to the gathering, finding, and acquiring more and more.  Soon there is little room for treasures from heaven.  Our eyes become blind and our ears become deaf.  We no longer see the beauty of a sunset or hear the sounds of birds in the spring.  We don’t hear the cries for help or see those in need.  God’s treasures come in many different ways.  Maybe today we can make a new commitment to set our hearts and minds on things from heaven.