Aligning Heaven and Earth for Eternal Riches
I have more stuff now than I have ever had. I have a house, two cars, and a positive bank account. I am never really hungry and I am never really thirsty. I have enough. However, sometimes my house is dirty and dusty, my cars are not new enough, and my food isn’t quite to my taste. I often think of myself as better than many because I do not chase money. However, I am sometimes melancholy because I forget what really matters. Disney would tell us that what really matters is family. There is some truth to that, but heaven is what matters the most. Some capitalists still love the idea that in the end their investments here are worthless, but because of a prayer they prayed half-heartedly at kids’ camp, they have it made in the shade for eternity. Heaven, for most, is a grand hotel overlooking the ocean with margaritas by the pool. However, heaven is not a geographical country-club with joys and toys. First and foremost heaven is where God reigns directly. This is why we can pray that heaven will come to earth.
The future kingdom of God is a kingdom where relationship with God and his creation is untainted by sin. Is that the treasure that you want? Is that what I want? Then walking with Jesus will align creation with God’s will and that reward will last for eternity. Walk independently of God and all that we amass will be cast out when the world and heaven are aligned.
Questions
- How are the aims of capitalism and the Kingdom of God at odds in this passage?
- What does Ecclesiastes say about trusting in long term capital gains?
- What goals is a disciple to pursue?
- Are your riches heavenly riches?
- How does family replace God as the ultimate treasure in our culture today?
Prayer
Father, you are our treasure. Help us to pursue you.
Text:
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Plymothian 