Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the next window of the temple of truth, namely the heavenly investments. Investing spiritually requires true piety; which excludes the pursuit of earthly and perishable goods; because the real treasure is in heaven. Indeed, the riches of this world intercept our inner light, without which all is darkness for us; because they become our master and make us incapable of serving God.
This piety or worship is trust in God, the absolute dependence of the heavenly Father, the predominant search for the kingdom of God and the heavenly treasures, and, as a consequence, the renunciation of earthly cares. The Lord Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 6.19-21: “19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Thus, the Bible reminds us this in four passages:
1-Proverbs 23.4 “Do not torment yourself to enrich yourself, do not apply your intelligence.” ;
2-Luke 12: 16-21 “And he told them this parable: The lands of a rich man had brought back much. 17 And he reasoned in himself, saying, What shall I do? because I have no place to tighten my crop. 18 Behold, says he, that which I will do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater ones, and there will I gather all my harvest and all my goods; 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods in store for many years; rest, eat, drink, and rejoice. 20 But God said to him, Fool! this very night your soul will be begged for again; and what have you prepared, who will it be for? 21 It is so with him who amasses treasure for himself, and who is not rich for God. “
3-Hebrews 13.5 “Do not indulge in the love of money; just what you have; for God Himself said, I will not forsake you, neither will I forsake you.
4-James 5.1 “To you now, rich! Cry and moan, because of the misfortunes that will come upon you. “
I. There are many dangers of material wealth that:
– push to forget God: Deuteronomy 8: 13-14 “when you will multiply your fat and your small cattle, increase your money and your gold, and increase all that is yours, 14 take care that your heart is not ‘Blow up, and forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.’
– bear with greed: Psalms 62.11 “Do not trust in violence, And do not put vain hope in rapine; When riches grow, do not attach your heart to it. “
Proverbs 28.20 “A faithful man is blessed with blessings, but he who is eager to get rich does not remain unpunished.”
-empher to enter the kingdom of God: Matthew 19.23 “Jesus said to his disciples,” Verily I say unto you, a rich man shall enter hard into the kingdom of heaven. “
– lead to spiritual sterility: Mark 4:19 “but in whom the worries of the age, the seduction of riches and the invasion of other lusts, stifle the word, and render it unsuccessful.”
-subject men to the strongest temptations: 1 Timothy 6.9 “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, into the snare, and into many foolish and pernicious desires that plunge men into ruin and perdition.”
Luke 12.21 “It is so with him who amasses treasure for himself, and not rich for God.”
II. True riches are in the heavenly house which is the final house of the righteous :
– deposit on the treasures: Mat 6.20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in the sky, where ringworm and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”;
it contains a register of the righteous: Luke 10.20 “However, do not rejoice that spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. “
-it is a place for all believers: John 14.2 “There are many mansions in my Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I’ll make you a place.
-the glorified Christ entered the heavenly abode: Acts 7.55-56 “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, and staring up to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, Behold, I see the heavens open, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.
– it is built by the hand of God: 2 Corinthians 5.1 “We know, indeed, that if this tent where we dwell on the earth is destroyed, we have in heaven a building which is the work of God, a an eternal dwelling that has not been made of a human hand. ” Heb 11:10 “For he was waiting for the city that has strong foundations, the one of which God is the architect and builder.”
-it is for the redeemed of all the nations: Rev 7.9 “After this I looked, and behold, there was a great crowd, which no one could count, of any nation, any tribe, any people, or any language. They stood in front of the throne and in front of the lamb, dressed in white robes, and palms in their hands. “
III. Spiritual investments provide spiritual treasures :
-Matthieu 6.20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
-Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The man who found it hides it; and in his joy he will sell all that he has, and buy this field. “
-Luke 12:33 “Sell what you have, and give it alms. Make bursaries that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where the thief does not come near, and where the moth does not destroy. “
-Philippians 3: 8-9 “And I look upon all things as a loss, because of the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord, for whom I have forsaken all things, and look upon them as mud, to win Christ, 9 and to be found in him, not with my righteousness, which comes from the law, but with that which is obtained by faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God by faith, “
-1 Timothy 6.19 “and to lay up thus for the future a treasure placed on a solid foundation, in order to seize the true life.”
-Revelation 3.18 “I advise you to buy from me fire-tried gold, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and eye drops to anoint your eyes, so that you can see. “
-Have the spiritual wealth of soul and heart:
Isaiah 33.6 “Your days will be safe; Wisdom and intelligence are a source of salvation; The fear of the Lord, that is the treasure of Zion. “
Matthew 12.35 “The good man draws good things out of his good treasure, and the wicked man draws bad things out of his evil treasure.”
Matthew 13.52 “And he said to them, Therefore every learned teacher of the kingdom of heaven is like a lord of the house, bringing new things and old things out of his treasure.”
-know Christ: 2 Corinthians 4.7 “We carry this treasure in earthen vessels, that this great power may be ascribed to God, and not to us.”
-eternal life: Matthew 6.20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 19.21 “Jesus said to him,” If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, give it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, and follow me. “
So earthly goods are perishable treasures, to which rust and ringworm attach themselves and make them disappear, while the heavenly treasures are never exhausted.
This is why the man who finds a treasure in a field and sells everything he has to buy this field has understood what must be done to have his place in the kingdom of God.
This means that each soul must choose the riches that are imperishable; those of the soul amassed in heaven, namely eternal life and its holy joys.
Then we understand more about the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3.7: “But these things that were for me gains, I looked upon them as a loss, because of Christ.”
Thus your heart will be entirely, either to the treasures of the earth that will perish, or to the goods of heaven that are permanent and that alone can make you happy. We must choose, and especially choose life.
We conclude this teaching with these three passages:
i) Philippians 3.18-20 “For there are many who walk as enemies of the cross of Christ, I have often spoken to you about it, and I still speak of it now crying. 19 Their end will be perdition; they have their god for their belly, they put their glory in what is their shame, they think only of the things of the earth. 20 But our city of ours is in heaven, from whence we also expect as Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, “
ii) Colossians 3.3-6 “having been informed of your faith in Jesus Christ and of your charity for all the saints, 5 because of the hope that is in store for you in heaven, and the word of truth, the word of the Gospel has previously made you known. 6 He is in your midst, and in the whole world; it is bearing fruit, and it is growing, as it is also the case among you, since the day you have heard and known the grace of God according to the truth, “
iii) 1 John 2.15-17 “Do not love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, does not come from the Father, but comes from the world. 17 And the world passes, and his lust also; but he who does the will of God abides forever. “
Let the almighty God strengthen you and sustain you in your efforts in following his Word; it is the meaning of our prayers for you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the next window of the temple of truth, namely spiritual vision.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord Almighty.