LAYING UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN - PART 3

TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2022

Since I was born, I have never seen any man that has a heart of gold exactly like Jesus, with a steady desire and a hearty affection for the good of the saints. He also has an infinite hunger to communicate the truth. Hence, every word He says expresses His glorious character, and crowns the full manifestation of the precise purpose of the Gospel. Just imagine His wise counsel below.

Reference: Matthew 6:19-21 King James Version (KJV) "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

A wise counsel like this, serves as a medium for ensuring a transforming influence in every aspect of human venture or endeavour. Proverbs 8:10-11 (NIV) reads, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." In other words, if you habitually act on divine instruction, like the one above from Jesus, you will never remain the same.

Question: How do we store our treasures in heaven while we are on earth? In another way, since we are in the world physically, how do we lay up treasures in heaven? Firstly, we must understand that although we are in the world, we are not of this world. We are from heaven by virtue of new birth in Christ. Secondly, we must understand that we belong to the Kingdom of God. We are heirs of the Father and by fraternal union, joint-heirs with Christ (see Romans 10:17 NKJV). Thirdly, we must acknowledge that since we are of God, He is our source, and for this reason, He has given us divine principles to live by.

What is divine principle? It is a fundamental truth or concept that operates on a proven foundation or serves as an established system of Kingdom belief and therefore produces undeniable Kingdom results when acted upon. For instance, tithing is a divine principle. In Malachi 3:8-12, the Bible says, " Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings...Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the Lord Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.

These Scriptures regarding "tithing" are part of what Jesus pointed out in the book of Matthew chapter 6. Tithe is one-tenth of one's income, financial increase, produce or earnings of any sort. Tithing is the practice of paying tithe, and a practical way of securing treasures in heaven. In fact, it explains the earthly meaning of laying up for ourselves, treasures in heavens. Notice that God made reference to storehouse, which is the house of God, where tithe offerings are paid. Then what follows next? God is obligated to throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. He will also prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields from dropping their fruit before it is ripe, which also indicates that all forms of devourer, including moths and thieves will be prevented by God Himself, just as Jesus explained.

Although I may not go into details because of time, pests like moths and other devourers like thieves simply represent part of the manifold ways the enemy can attack treasures. In addition, there are other Biblical principles in terms of giving which are essential part of Christian worship, for instance, the first fruit offering (Nehemiah 10:35; Proverbs 3:9), seed offerings, sacrificial offerings, free will offerings (Luke 6:38), giving to others in need, charity or alms-giving. First fruit and tithe offerings are compulsory and are different from other kinds of offerings.

These principles become familiarly practical when they have been fixed and established abode in our hearts. In other words, we must develop an inward and spiritual awareness of the principles, as well as the experiential knowledge. Be continually conversant with them, have delight in them, and let them become your guide. By practising them, you are storing up treasures or riches in heaven, where moths and rust do not exist, let alone destroy anything, and where robbers cannot break in and steal. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Psalm 112:9; 1 Chronicles 29:14; Matthew 6:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

Guided Prayer: Precious Father in heaven, when I consider the principles of your Kingdom that do not fail, I can only stand in awe of your greatness. By applying them with reverence for you, they bring fulfilment and establish the dignity of my Christian faith, as well as the special manifestation of your provision, protection, security, safety and abundance in my life. Thank you Father for loving me so much, for blessing me with substance and for filling my life with treasures, in Jesus' Name, Amen!