Treasure in this World
This is an audio recording of Treasure in this World the Day 27 entry in Today: Devotions for Seafarers (Vol. 2) by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Donielle Hart Goad or read the text below:
““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ”
Do you remember the first time you were introduced to a maritime college? I bet it seemed a very impressive place—you might have had a great deal of fear thinking about whether you would get in or whether you would graduate. But what do you think of it now that you are working?
When I was in high school, a group of college students came to visit my class to promote their school. I don't remember what they said, but I clearly remember that they seemed much older and wiser than I was. From my perspective as a 14-year-old, those college students seemed like they had it all. Looking back now, after a few decades down the road, and knowing what I was like as a college freshman, I no longer see great wisdom!
Often in life we think of something in the future as so incredibly important—and then when we arrive at it, we see it's not as important or exciting as we had thought. Some examples might be an upcoming move, graduation from school, or a new job. Why does it so often seem that "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence"?
Jesus knows how the heart works. He knows that the heart can fixate on something, distorting its value and importance related to what we should really treasure.
The problem is that if we make anything in this world our treasure, something that defines our desire and identity, we will be left empty-handed in the end.
So what can we do? "Seek first [God's] kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33), the only treasure that will fulfill us in this life—and in the life to come.
For Further Thought
How do our perspectives change as we grow older?
What is God's kingdom?
Are you a citizen of God's kingdom? If not, why not?
Prayer
Lord, help me see the right way to live. Do not let the world tell me what is special, but let me learn it from your Word. May Jesus Christ be my treasure today. Amen.
