Sadly enough there are people today, as there were in Jesus’ day, who believe that the accumulation of wealth and possession brings happiness.  Some are willing to gain their possessions and wealth at the expense of honesty and honor.  Others by deliberately smashing a weaker rival.  Still others at the expense of even higher duties.

Humanity’s craving for more wealth and possessions, has compromised our values, our families, and our nation.  In an effort to provide our children with the latest of games, the best electronics, their own phones, beepers and cellular phones, their own means of transportation, both parents are working outside the home.

I find it very sad that we tend to measure parental love today by possessions, by how many gifts were under the Christmas tree, by not saying NO when our child asks for something.  It used to be the question of how much do you love me was answered by this. (OUT STRETCHED ARMS)

To you Wayne and Helen, as you baptize your daughter, and to every parent, I encourage you to give more of yourself to your child, then you do of anything else.  Give your love and your faith to you child.  Your love and faith remain long after all those possessions are gone.

We live in a materialistic society where people serve money, desire for money and what it can buy.  Does our commitment to wealth and possession outweigh our commitment to God and spiritual matters?

You can answer this question by examining where your heart is.

I would guess that Jesus liked talking about money about as much you enjoy hearing a minister preach on the subject.  Jesus talked about money, not because he was trying to raise money for the local temple.  Jesus talked about money, because he knew it was one life’s deadly sins.

To the rich young man, who was just as good as he was wealthy, when he asked Jesus,

Why would Jesus demand so much from that young rich man? Biblical guidelines for making an offering to God was a tithe, 10%. Why didn’t Jesus say, sell 10% of everything you have and give it to the poor, then come and follow me?

Why?,  Because Jesus knew where the rich young man’s heart was.  It wasn’t committed to loving God.  It was committed to loving wealth and possessions.

Jesus didn’t have it in for the rich young man because he was rich.  Jesus wasn’t out to destroy him, but to save.  Jesus needed to point out the obstacles which would prevent him, as well as you and me, from possible entrance into the kingdom of God.

Storing up treasures in heaven is not limited to tithing, but is accomplished by all acts of obedience to God.  Treasures in heaven are understood to be matters of character:

Development of a Godly personality

Minds that can enjoy the great thoughts of God and His creation

Hearts that transcend selfishness by loving

Jesus is not giving a lesson of finances as much as he is introducing a formula for living.

If everything a person values is on earth, then his values will also be earthly. If everything a person values and sets his heart upon is on earth, then all of a person’s interest will be upon earth.

If one’s goals are set on the will of God, his values reflect the same.

Long range goals offer direction to short range goals.

Have you ever taken a good look at the barrel of a rifle?   If you ever do you will notice that it has two sights on the barrel, a near one and a far one.  Only when you have lined up the near one with the far one will you successfully be able to hit the target.

There is a spiritual truth, here.  If the far sight is dwelling in the kingdom of God and if the short sight are our daily activities, then our daily activities will reflect our desire to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  What we do and say; What we believe; How we act as parents; How we live will be lined up with God’s Kingdom.

What Jesus offers us here, is not just a lesson in finances, but a lesson for successful living.  Successful living based not storing up earthly treasures, but based storing up heavenly treasures, treasures such as a Godly personality, enjoying the Word and creation of God, a heart of selfless love.