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The Other Half The Other Half
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When we were in Scotland recently we followed a van which was obviously used for urgent deliveries. Written across the back door was the motto “when tomorrow is too late …” I was instantly reminded of the scripture:“You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.”Luke 12 : 20, 21 (NIV) I appreciate that the motto on the van was saying “use us when you need something delivered at once”, but the scripture prompts a totally different line of thought. Luke 12:34 tells us “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” And the note for the previous verse in my Life Application Bible, is a real challenge - the key to using money wisely is to see how much we can use for God’s purposes, not how much we can accumulate for ourselves. Does God’s love touch your wallet? Does your money free you to help others? If so you are storing up lasting treasure in heaven. I decided to look up references to the treasures in heaven. What were they? How could I get them? If it is as important as all that, I’d better find out how I was doing! I love my Life Application Bible. It is so lovely to have notes written for most of the verses which help me to apply the scripture to daily living. I was quite excited to find lots of references to treasure in heaven and it is obvious that the values of this world will be reversed. We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good but those who will be great in heaven will be those who have humbly served others. In Luke 12:40 we read “You must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (which links me back to Luke 12: 20) and again the comment challenges us - our heavenly rewards will be the most accurate reflection of what we have done on earth and far greater than we can imagine. I do quite a lot of “good things” but I often have poor reasons - which most people don’t know! Such as - I quite like what I’m doing; I know I’ll look good; it doesn’t cost me anything. It is much harder to behave as written in Matt 6:3,4 “Then your Father , who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“ And the challenge - would I still do this if no-one will ever know I did it? OK, not everything I do has wrong motives but I would like to get it right more often! It’s been challenging to write this. I have enjoyed following thoughts and checking them out, but now I must apply what I’ve read. Can I do that? Not in my strength but by the grace of God and His presence within me, “For we have this treasure in jars of clay ….” 2 Cor 4:7
© Sue Whitehead
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