Worry Reveals Temporary Treasure

by

Bible Reading

Exodus 9
Luke 12
Job 26

Devotional Thoughts

The Lord is continuing the theme of treasure as I read His Word. Luke 12 is Luke’s version of what Matthew said in Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” The way Luke says it made me see it a little different though.

Here’s my paraphrase of Luke 12:33-34; When your treasure is in heaven it’s secure. You have nothing to worry about. Your treasure will not grow old, it cannot be stolen or destroyed, it will not fail, because it’s in heaven! And because your treasure is secure in heaven, you will be thinking about heaven. Because where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is also.

In Luke 12:15 he gives the antithesis of putting our treasure in heaven. He says, “Be on your guard against the idol of covetousness (treasure that is temporal). Treasure that is NOT stored in heaven does grow old (we always have to have the latest, the newest, etc), it can be stolen or destroyed, and it will fail. Temporary treasure will produce worry and anxiety, and will therefore captivate our heart and our heart will be fixed on keeping our treasure secure.

An interesting side note. When we are anxious, or worried, is that an indication that whatever we are worried about has an element of temporary treasure?

I really like how NLT translated Luke 12:21 “It’s foolish to store up earthly wealth and not have a rich relationship with God.”

I think Luke’s words in Luke 12:4-7 relate to this idea also. Fear can be a form of anxiety. Anxiety can also lead to fear. Luke says, “Do no fear those who kill the body, and after have nothing more that they can do. Fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Fear Him I tell you! Are not 5 sparrows sold for 2 pennies? And not one of them is forgotten by God. Why even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Luke describes a life without fear, not because we are sufficient or have the strength to do what God is asking, but we have nothing to worry about because our treasure is secured by God’s power. If God can use even heathen, ego centered, earthly rulers to display his power and proclaim his name in all the earth (Exodus 9:15) I think we can trust Him to use us to do the same.

I love how Job describes his understanding of God’s power. Job 26:14 “Behold these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Although he wrestled with the truth vs reality, He knew the truth, and declared to the truth, and in the end God used the hardship for Job to see God in a whole new way (Job 42:5).

Declarations

  • When my treasure is not temporal, but eternal (2 Cor 4:18), reserved in heaven (1 Peter 4:3-4) I don’t have anything to be afraid of. I can live life here on earth without fear. (Luke 12:4-7)
  • If God provides for the sparrows who are worth less than a penny, I can trust Him to provide for me, every day.
  • Confidence in God’s power, the same power he demonstrated on Pharoah (Ex 9:15). The same power that Job says we only see the fringe of. That same power is guarding my peace today. I can trust that power.
  • When I am anxious, or worried, it is that an indication that whatever I am worried about has an element of temporary treasure.

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