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EARTHLY TREASURES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6
Job 1:13-17

Matthew 6:19-21

 

“For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”

 

EARTHLY TREASURES
 
Perhaps one of the greatest dangers to the Christian is the desire to accumulate wealth. It is certainly proper to care for our family, as this is a necessary part of proper Christian conduct (1 Tim 5:8). However, it is easy to gradually get caught up in the competition for wealth in this world, taking our minds and hearts from the things of the Lord. Our hearts, that is to say, our desires, will be found where our treasure is (Matt 6:19-21). We will soon see that although he was extremely wealthy, Job’s heart was set on pleasing God and living for Him.
 
The battle was between the spiritual forces in the heavens, but Job was to feel the weight of Satanic power upon him in his daily life. Satan attacked Job with a series of troubles, with one tragedy rapidly following another. In the midst of a peaceful life came the first message of disaster – all of Job’s cattle had been carried off and those guarding them had been killed by the Sabeans (Job 1:13-15). (Sabeans were wild bands of nomads who lived by attacking others and plundering their goods.) Just then, another messenger arrived to tell Job that the loss of his wealth was complete – the Chaldeans had stolen three thousand of his camels and killed the servants caring for them (Job 1:16-17). Like people today who suffer great loss when a tsunami strikes, Job lost everything that he owned.
 
Considering Job’s financial disaster reminds us of present-day men who go from being multi-millionaires to bankrupts almost overnight. Sometimes, in desperation, these men commit criminal action to recoup their losses. Others become so despondent that they commit suicide. Job, however, had a heavenly treasure which far outweighed his loss.
 
Let us, like Job, fix our eyes on things that have greater value than the fleeting wealth of this world. May we live to build treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20-21).
 
THOUGHT: What is one of the greatest dangers I face?

PRAYER: Father, may I live with eternity’s values in view.

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