This one little sentence is loaded with meaning! Jesus states that there are two kinds of wealth: ‘worldly wealth’ and ‘true riches’.
In our life on earth, you and I are blessed with temporary worldly possessions, given by God for our use and comfort. But there are also inherited ‘riches’, stored up for us in heaven and kept with God.
We can hardly guess what these ‘true riches’ could be. However, they will belong to us in a way that money and earthly possessions don’t. All we need to do is be faithful here and now. These are the treasures Jesus instructs us to add to during this life. (Matthew 6:19)
Here on earth, we need money, clothes, food, shelter, produce and possessions for daily living. God know this and provides these abundantly. (Matthew 6:31) These we get
by the ‘sweat of our brow’ and by employing the minds, talents, physical strength and skills which are themselves gifts from God. Jesus is saying that God expects us to be trustworthy stewards or custodians of all that he gives us in this world. If we are not faithful and responsible in sharing our small earthly wealth, we will be unable to reliably handle the vast treasures held for us in eternity – true riches!
It is
precisely by being generous like God and sharing our earthly wealth and fortune that we store up heavenly treasures. We are being Christ-like and will therefore ‘fit into’ God’s heavenly home more readily, where our Creator gives everything to us in abundance.
How can you be more generous and freely share with others all God has provided?
How can we teach our children to be generous like
God?
Reflections by Reggie Venter
