‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus is comparing the riches of earth to the riches of the Kingdom. Where are we making our investment?
Remember, in this passage Jesus is speaking to his disciples, men who had given up their livelihoods to follow him from town to town, relying on the kindness of strangers to feed and shelter them. They certainly had good reason to be anxious about their financial state. But Jesus is trying to make them understand that the riches of the kingdom are everlasting.
Look at the example of Jesus himself. We know that he worked as a carpenter with Joseph, but left his livelihood behind him as an adult to begin his ministry. He was capable of feeling hunger and pain, but did not perform miracles to feed or save himself. He had his followers rid themselves of possessions, too.
However, he also helped the poor. He performed miracles to heal the sick and provide oil and multiplied the fish and loaves. He spoke of a prodigal son who wasted his inheritance in revelry and an older brother who could not understand his forgiveness. He spoke of faithful servants who invest their master’s money. Jesus is seemingly full of contradictions.
Jesus cares more about people than he does about money. He wants us to rid ourselves of anything that stands in his way. He wants us to use what we have to help others. He wants us to spread his kingdom. This is what we can do to store up everlasting treasure!
Today’s takeaway: invest in the riches of the kingdom.
