TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:19-24; Colossians 3:1-4.

Treasure means valuable or important things like money, clothes, and other things that we greatly cherish. Many people love to acquire as much treasure as they can here on earth without thinking of eternity with God in heaven. Once upon a time, there was a rich man who spent all his time labouring only to get wealth and increase his business. He had no time for God and did nothing to serve Him. One day, he saw how much his business had prospered and he was so happy. He told himself that he would relax and enjoy himself. God the owner of every life decided that his life here on earth was over; he died that night. Now, he could not stay to enjoy what he had acquired here on earth. God referred to this man as a fool. Why? Because he had laid treasure for himself here on earth but was not rich toward God (Luke 12:14-21). The study is divided into three parts:

1.  COMMAND FROM THE LORD: Matthew 6:19;     Colossians 3:1-4.

     The man in our story was carried away by his treasures. He boasted to his soul that he would have a good time. He forgot that he does not own his life. That very night he died and he could not enjoy all that he had spent all his life to acquire.

     This shows how useless it is to put ones trust in earthly treasures. The things we have in this world will not last forever. They will become old and eaten up by termites and other insects. We cannot also take them with us when we leave this world. That is why Jesus seriously warned and command all His friends not to lay their treasures here on earth.

2. TREASURES IN HEAVEN: Matthew 6:20.

     What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven? How can we lay our treasures in heaven? These are two important questions that every child must answer. Heaven is a holy place prepared for holy friends of Jesus. Jesus expects us to lay our treasures in heaven by living a holy life while we are here on earth. We are to have the fear of God, love and honour God and seek His glory more than any other thing in this world. Give your time, talent, treasure and tongue for God’s service and His glory. You should count worldly things like toys, money, food, clothes, shoes and all such things as nothing. You should always live a life that will make Jesus happy and constantly pray and watch for His coming.

     The Bible states that “the world passeth away and the lust thereof but they that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (I John 2:17). Those who love the things of this world more than the word of God are enemies of God. We are to have deep love for the things of the kingdom of God and not for the things of this world.

3.  QUALIFICATION FOR HEAVEN: Matthew 6:20-22.

     Jesus warns that, putting our love on earthly treasures can hinder us from getting to heaven. For every boy and girl to lay their treasures in heaven and be able to get there at last; a sinful child, must first repent and ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus. A saved child, must be holy because God is holy and heaven is holy too. As a child of God, your life must also show the fruit of the Spirit “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” (Galatians 5:22-24).

     Friends of Jesus who desire to live with God in heaven must set their love on the things of God like prayer, reading and meditating on God’s word, obeying and living by the word and sharing the love of Jesus with others. Earthly things will pass away but the things of God will last.

QUESTIONS:

1.  Treasure means __________________________________________________________

2.  Why should we not lay our treasures on earth?

3.  Where should Christians lay their treasures?

4.  Mention three things a saved child must do to show that he is laying his treasures          in heaven.

5.  State the qualification for heaven for (a) a sinner, (b) a saved child.

MEMORY VERSE: “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.” (Matthew 6:20, 21).

ACTIVITY: Children should pray for grace to love God and the things of the kingdom.