The Necessity of Laying Up Treasures for God’s Kingdom

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

August 02, 2022

in Spritual Growth

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365

July 31, 2022
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:12-14,18-23
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 12:13-21

The greatness of God’s kingdom is awesome. However, the world system has taught us differently. In the Gospel today, Christ warns us to not set ourselves on the world system that is trying to rule by destroying what God has established. God takes care of us well. We are strong in Him. As Jesus was teaching, someone approached Him and told Him to divide the inheritance between him and his brother. Under Jewish law, when the father of a family dies, the eldest son gets 2/3, the younger, 1/3. This is so because the oldest son is expected to assume the responsibility of the father and take charge of the family. Often times though, because of greed, the younger brothers are not happy getting the smaller share. Christ warns us here that greed will destroy us. Our possessions do not make our life. If we were to talk to people who are filthy rich, we will discover that many are not really at peace. Christ then states a parable about a rich man who yields an abundance of harvest but decides to store these up for himself, thinking he will have plenty of grain to last him for many years to come and make him happy. But that very same night, he dies. We have been taught by the world system to be greedy, lustful and not be content with what we already have in life. Possessions are not our security. We can be happy with just a little. The very wealthy are working on controlling the world today. But the world is created by God. Some are so greedy that they go to the extent of buying many cars for themselves. In the parable it says 2/3 was given to the older one and the younger one was not content with his 1/3 share of the inheritance. Ecclesiastes 2:18 “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.”

There are people who are hungry. We see this in our own country. There are even wealthy and greedy people who do not want to share their wealth with the needy. We have an inheritance from God no one can take away because it is an inheritance of eternity. What an assuring picture we have of the New Jerusalem. It is bedecked with walls of precious stones. The streets are paved with gold. It is God Himself who qualifies us to receive His inheritance. James 2:5 “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” Christ is telling us to strike a balance. There is a story told that one of the saints during the eighteen-hundreds had an allowance of 28 pounds. He would give 2 pounds to the needy each time. Time was when his allowance was increased and he still continued to share with the needy. God will supply all our needs. But He expects us that when we are blessed, we are to meet the needs of others. May it not be that we lay treasures for ourselves but not know God. We are joint heirs with Christ. Our inheritance is the same. God is the Source. He is our strength. He is our all in all. What you take into your life, that’s what you’ll be. The Word is our substance. If we partake of it everyday, that’s what we will become. The Gospels teach us how we should live our lives so that we may bring forth God’s glory.