Daily Devotionals

Pressure Point Week 9: Wednesday

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20

Have you noticed how new things do not stay new for long? The couch gets a coffee stain. Our tennis shoes get scuff marks. The dog rips open your brand-new pillows. The truth is, things on this Earth will not last forever. Nothing on this Earth was meant to remain forever. That is why, in the end, we have to find something else to live for besides the things of this world. We have to live for eternity and the things that last forever. 

As He taught a crowd of people one day, Jesus taught those listening to live for eternal things rather than things of this Earth. He wrote, "Don't store up treasures here on earth where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal" (verse 19). Jesus explained in this verse that even the greatest treasures on Earth will ultimately be destroyed, whether by moths, rust, or something else. They may even be stolen. This teaching from Jesus causes us to look honestly at our possessions and understand that these things will rust and lose their newness and grandeur. Living for money and material possessions will never satisfy. Instead of storing treasures here on Earth, Jesus taught, "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal" (verse 20). When we live for eternity, nothing can destroy or steal the treasures we have stored up. The things of God and His kingdom will never fade away.

We have two options, friends. We can either live for this world, or we can live for God and His kingdom. If we live for this world, we will lose everything we stored up 100% of the time. But, on the other hand, if we live for God and His kingdom, we can remain confident that the treasures we store will last forever. So let's choose God and His kingdom above everything else. He is the only One worth living for.

Moving Toward Action

One way we can store treasures in heaven is by reaching out to those far from Christ. Pull out your list of people far from Christ to whom you are reaching out. (If you have never made that list, make it now.) Pray for the people on your list right now. Then, as opportunities arise this week, share with them the hope you have in Christ and the difference Christ has made in your life.  

Going Deeper

Going Deeper – Matthew 6:1-20

"Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do-blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

5 "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

7 "When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don't let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.

14 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

19 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal."