Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Billy Graham
Rust, Moths, and Corrosion
Jesus reminds all of us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). There are no armed robberies in heaven, but your treasures here on Earth are not as safe.
The Fire to Come
Treasures on Earth will all be burned up someday; at least that’s what most Bible scholars believe. We read that the Apostle Peter wrote, “By the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:7); and unexpectedly for most, especially the unsaved, “the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2 Peter 3:7, 12). That 401K will be ashes along with everything else.
Temporary Versus Eternal
Whatever you seen on this earth will someday pass away, and only those who have received the free gift of eternal life will dwell again on a new earth that will include new heavens (Revelation 21:1). This eternal kingdom comes with the King of kings, whom we shall see for the first time ever (Revelation 21:3, 22:4)! Latch onto eternal things while here, for only those things done for Christ will pass through into the kingdom of God.
Treasures in Heaven
Jesus tells us that the treasures in heaven will remain forever, so invest your life and resources in the kingdom (Matthew 6:19-20) where nothing can touch it. They say that the widow’s mite, about one penny today, if compounded annually at less than the going rate of about .03% would come to several million dollars today. The difference between the widow’s mite and the self-righteous religious rulers was that she gave all out of her poverty and all that she had. The others gave little of much that they owned.
Conclusion
For sure, the riches of this world can lead you away from God and can become a god in themselves. Money can buy you “friends,” cars, and homes; but it cannot buy you happiness. It is nothing compared to the value of your eternal soul. There will be two places for everyone to go someday: either into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21, 22) or into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12-15, 21:8).
