I recently created a 14-day devotional booklet for my church called “Supplying Every Need.” We’re using it to prepare for our upcoming Stewardship Commitment Sunday on November 8. I will be posting a devotional each day between now and then. Enjoy!
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21
I’ve made two trips to Kenya, where I’ve taught church history, theology, and church doctrine to indigenous United Methodist pastors. This is part of our United Methodist Church that is growing rapidly. We can’t train or equip pastors there fast enough. We can’t start churches there fast enough.
The pastors there have almost nothing by our American standards. They work multiple jobs to support themselves. While they may take a small portion of the weekly offering—which isn’t much to begin with—they receive no salary. Most don’t even worship in a proper church building.
The point is, I’m literally a thousand times wealthier than any of the people I taught or ministered to. I only wish I were half as blessed as they are!
Some of you know what I mean. Like me, you’ve gone on a mission trip to an underdeveloped or Third World country. And while you’re there, you’ve seen faithful Christians living with so much less stuff than we have. And if you’re like me, you think, “How can these people have so little and yet still be so happy?”
The answer is this: They’re rich in the only way that matters for eternity. They’re rich in treasure in heaven.
We often think of “treasure in heaven” as something that we “cash in” on the other side of eternity—in heaven, after we die. In reality, this treasure is something we begin enjoying on this side. My Kenyan brothers and sisters—along with so many other Christians—are enjoying it now. I want to, as well!
In what ways does your life show that you value “treasure on earth” more than “treasure in heaven”? Pray that the Lord will help you make the changes you need to make to value treasure in heaven even more.
