treasure

treasure

In this lesson we will be examining the heart as it relates to the treasure of a person’s heart.

Lesson Verse: A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. | Luke 6:45

·         Question 1: What is treasure?

Treasure is anything that you value. It becomes treasure when it is stored or kept away in secret.

The focus of this scripture is pointing out the treasures of our hearts. These are the things that we have stored within our minds. These are the things that we value, show concern for, like, dislike, etc. They are ultimately your heart’s desires.

·         Question 2: What are some things that are near and dear to you?

"For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Do you want to know how I know what you care about? The evidence can be found in your everyday lingo. The things that you talk about, songs you sing, and movies you quote are just a few examples of the things that we talk about.

·         Question 3: Think about what your daily conversations consist of. What are some of the things you talk about out loud?

“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.” | Matthew 16:19-21

Your treasure is where your heart is. But here’s the plot twist. God wants us to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven! Heaven is where we will be after this life. This life is temporary and we will die someday. Thankfully, the blood that Jesus Christ shed gives us the grace to live again with Him in eternity. So the goal for us as Christ followers is to set our hopes on things above by looking forward to the life God has promised us afterwards. Of course we have never seen heaven, so in order to store up treasure in heaven we have to complete good works down here on earth to obtain those promised treasures.

"So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." | James 2:17

Once we are saved by faith through Jesus Christ, it is then by that same faith that we perform good works for other people by the strength that He gives us. After which when those good works are performed, God promises us treasures in heaven as our reward for our faithful service to Him.

·         Question 4: What are some acts of kindness we can do for other people?

Now we’ve reached a point of self-examination. Are we now willing to value the life of others more than our own? Are we willing to help someone who is in trouble? What if we were to change the material things that we value and treasure within our hearts towards treasuring Christ? To treasure and to love Christ would be to love His people in the process. The good works that we do for other people help to serve a greater purpose, and that purpose is the growing of God’s Kingdom.

Pray this prayer

Lord God, thank you for the gift of eternal life through your son Jesus Christ. I ask that you would search my heart. Show me the things that I value the most whether good or bad. If those things are not pleasing to you, give me the strength to dethrone them. God help me to make to make you the king of my heart, my desires, my thoughts and my speech. Help me to honor you through my service to your people. Help me to treasure your kingdom more than the temporary things of the earth. It is in Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen