By Darlene Winans
Matt 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This scripture is about two things: the economy of heaven and the treasure, or the economy, of the heart. Let’s talk about the economy of heaven first. You know, I’m an accountant, so when we talk about treasure or economy, my ears perk up!
I’m planning a mission trip to Indonesia in September – little plug here, let me know if you’re called to go! Anyways, when I visit Indonesia, or any country I have to convert US dollars to the local currency. In Indonesia, I’d exchange US dollars to Indonesian rupiahs – 16,127 rupiahs for 1 US dollar! The exchange rate changes daily, depending on the economy. One day, 16,127 rupiahs to the dollar, the next day it may be 16,297 rupiahs to the dollar – it changes every day. But the economy of heaven is this: God’s economy NEVER changes. His love toward you never changes. His grace and mercy never change. He will never leave you nor forsake you. The world may change daily, but God never changes. Look at this verse:
Isaiah 61:3 NLT“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. . ”
Let’s talk about the currency, or the economy, of heaven. He takes our sorrow and exchanges it for joy. He takes our sin and gives salvation and the promise of heaven in the exchange. He exchanges ashes for beauty, and praise instead of despair.
Compare that to how the world works. The world sees our sorrow and seeks to take advantage. The world sees sin and builds cities dedicated to it. The world sees our ashes and seeks to drive us further into despair, keeping us further in bondage. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take Jesus and the economy of heaven any day!
Now let’s talk about the economy of the heart by looking at that verse in Matthew again:
Matt 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus, being relational and personal with each and every one of us, is saying, “where’s your heart?” Where is your treasure? Do you treasure the things in your heart that have eternal value? Or do you treasure the things in your heart that rust and rot and the Enemy can come in and steal and destroy? The Enemy can’t steal your salvation. He can’t steal the gifts of the Spirit God has given you – love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, self control.
He can’t do these things if you are serving Jesus, if your heart belongs to Jesus, if you value eternal things.
BUT if you value material things, shiny things, things that distract and capture your attention and take your focus off Jesus – the Enemy can come in like a flood, he can rob, steal, kill and destroy. Don’t give the enemy a foothold. Don’t let him in, not a single inch!
So today, Jesus asks – where’s your heart?
