Rivers Baptist Church - Christ alone - and Him crucified

Have you ever had your car in for a service and then had that dreaded call from the mechanic? “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news”, he says which means it’s good news for the auto shop. “Yeah”, you say cautiously knowing it couldn’t be the water pump or the radiator — that was last service’s bad news! Anyway, it turns out it was the whole muffler system. Completely rusted out. Have you ever grabbed your favourite going-out dress — the one you last wore two years ago before you had a baby, only to find it had been moth-munched? Or maybe you left your car at a railway station overnight only to get it the next day and find it gone, or, like me, someone had smashed the front and rear windscreens. Not exactly thieves but a similar result — someone else’s gain and your loss. I’m sure we’ve all had something stolen at some time in our lives, or will do.

Matthew 6:19–21

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.

I’ve often thought about moth, rust and thieves and why Jesus used them as examples of the temporary nature of earthly possessions in verse 19. Here’s some ideas.

Creation

• The three amigos
  - Creation elements – three major parts
• Rust is a chemical reaction and a product of the God created order. It relates to the physical world and can occur in the absence of life.
  - The “physical creation” — light, dark, the physical world, moon and stars
• Moths are biological agents – they feast on cloth which is a biological product (even synthetics come from oil which is biological in origin).
  - The “living creation” — vegetation, birds of the sky, creatures of the oceans and animals of the land
• Thieves are men and women.
  - The “spiritual creation” — man in God’s image for God is Spirit

The Fall

• Man’s endeavours against the curse
  - In the course of life the full measure denied

• The implements of the field — ploughs and sickles and so on — are put to work for food.
  - Rust attacks the means by which man feeds himself.

• Out of the surplus wealth that survives the rust, man clothes himself.
  - It is this that moths attack and they are just as happy on a fine gown as a pair of “King Gees”.
• Out of the still smaller surplus that survives the moths, man stores up for his future increase.
  - Even part of this is still denied him — taken away from him by sinful men and women.

So … applying it to today’s world and especially our wealthy Western context, what is Jesus teaching us? That we shouldn’t have more than two cars? That it’s OK to have a boat so long as it’s fibreglass, not aluminium? That we shouldn’t have lots of dresses, or shoes, in our cupboard (or for the men lots of socks!)? That if we have valuable jewellery we should keep it in a safe where thieves can’t break in? I don’t think so. This is legalism.

It’s something I used as a sort of “aha” proof before I was a Christian. I had a single example of a pastor who had a water ski boat. “Hypocrite” I declared triumphantly to my wife to be — once and for all debunking the crutch of Christianity as false — for he could sell it and give to the poor (familiar sounding logic!). Then a couple of years later, I met Jesus on the cross, my sins upon His Body, His blood poured out for me. I don’t worry about pastors with water ski boats anymore. Figured they were probably blessing others with it.

Anyway, as always the teaching is in the “do” — not the “don’t”. If we focus on the “don’t” we’ll miss the point altogether. It is here in verse 20 that I believe the teaching, while still including monetary wealth, actually branches out much wider. Treasures in heaven will arise from how we’ve loved God and loved our neighbour, not just in a feeling way, but in actions that springs from Christ’s love in us. Spirit-led and faith-filled good works will bring heavenly treasures. Some of these will relate to how we choose to use the money that God has blessed us with, but many could also relate to a kind word or a helping hand to someone in need.

In verse 21 I believe Jesus shows us a little of the “how to” in terms of getting our heart centred on, and evermore filled with, Him. He reverses the order and puts the treasure first. This suggests a step in faith. He almost challenges us to put our treasure in heavenly endeavours first and then see if our hearts won’t become more like His. In this way we may all become known as a “people after God’s own heart” — Jesus, Son of David, was.

Will you take up this spiritual growth challenge this coming year and seek to bless others with your finances? I’m talking in a field that is much greater than just our local church — not as treasurer. Be encouraged to go to, and even beyond, the point of discomfort and see what God will do in your heart.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

God Bless,
Gary