Matthew 6:20, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”
Jesus told us to be wise and lay up treasures in Heaven. Tragically, nearly
everyone in the world today are laying up treasures here on earth in the
stock market, their 401K retirement plan, stock options, real estate, and
numerous other worldly investments. It will all mean absolutely nothing in
100 years.
Listen friend, you cannot take a single penny of accumulated earthly wealth with you beyond the grave. Not one cent!!! When you leave this world, it's back to dust. It'll be over. All opportunities to live for God, win souls to Christ, and lay up treasures in Heaven will be gone. It matters not whether you are the richest person on earth, or the poorest, we all go into eternity with nothing. 1st Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
That's why Jesus told us not to live for money, because it's not real. Everything around us is only temporal. It won't last. It's all an illusion. Romans 1:20 clarifies that the invisible things of this world are clearly seen by the things which are made. No one will have any excuses on Judgment Day.
The Bible very clearly teaches the RECIPROCATING LAW OF LIFE...
Luke 14:12-14, “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
The Bible teaches that God will recompense those believers who have not been recompensed for the good they've done here on earth. It's that simple. Nearly everyone lives in their own little selfish world of friends and family; but Jesus said to give to the blind, lame, deaf, crippled, mentally-challenged, and those who cannot give anything back and God will reward you in eternity. Few believers will receive any rewards in Heaven. If you'll be honest with yourself, 99% of everything that people do in life is for those who can and do recommence them.
This Scriptural passage is very simple and plain... we ought to focus on helping those who cannot help themselves. The Bible says in Luke 14:13 to “call” the lame, blind, deaf, crippled, and poor. They are unable to come to us. There are all sorts of places filled with messed up people who cannot help themselves. The opportunities are endless. Philippians 2:4-5, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Most people only quote verse 5 without verse 4, which tells us what the mind of Christ is... to dwell ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS.
We pass up so many soul-winning opportunities every day. Yesterday I stopped in a drive-through and saw a homeless person laying on a bench. I bought an extra combo meal, put $25 and a Gospel of John in the bag and handed it to the person. I just politely said “God bless” and left. I had helped somebody in Jesus' name.
Jesus said if you do things for people who can return the favor, such as friends and family, then you haven't really given anything to anyone. God wants us to help those who cannot return the favor.
Today I had the opportunity to give someone a Gospel of John and it totally slipped my mind. My legs were hurting horrible all day (from shooting nerve pain) and I just wanted to sit down, but I had things to take care of. When my day was done I was sad because I had failed to think about soul-winning. So you see, some days I remember and other days I forget. I don't want to forget; but I'd rather try 10 times and fail 5, than not try at all and fail 10 out of 10 because I didn't care at all. Being a better soul-winner, more soul-conscious, and more alert of opportunities to help OTHERS doesn't just happen by chance; you need to work at it and set aside your own cares and thoughts continually (Philippians 2:4-5).
Dr. Jack Hyles (1926-2001), my favorite preacher and mentor, said that if he could teach his people (church congregation) one thing next to salvation itself... it would be to GET OUT OF THE SELF LIFE.
Matthew 25:24,26, “Then he which had received the one talent ... went and hid thy talent in the earth ... His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant.”
