Not very long ago an, aged woman in Canada, died after a comparatively brief illness, and when her affairs were looked into, it was found that for nearly fifty years she had been placing a certain amount of her earnings in a bank, and in all that time had never withdrawn any of it. She had always been careful, hard working and thrifty, and when death came, it was found that her account amounted to thousands of dollars, which she had been "laying up for her future"!
But of what use was the money to her when the call came? She could not take it with her, and others benefitted by what she had so laboriously gathered with so much care and self denial during those long years.
How very many there are on every hand laboring hard to gather some of this world's wealth, for the future, seemingly oblivious to the fact that when their soul is required of them, all must be left behind, none may be taken with them!
Not that thrift should be discouraged, nor that those having loved ones dependent upon them should not make due provision for their maintenance in case the natural provider should be taken away; but the gathering merely for the sake of hoarding up, or for one's own ease and satisfaction, always turns out to be nothing but an uncertain, non-enduring asset, ending when one's lifespan is completed down here,—for all must be left behind!
But there is an asset which is enduring, guaranteed by the highest authority existent,—even God Himself; and this asset or treasure, may be yours, not only down here, but you may have it for all eternity. We are referred to that treasure in Matt. 6:2020But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20), in the following words: "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”
Before, however we can lay up that treasure, it, and we must be acceptable to God, for God does not allow guilty sinners to lay up treasures in heaven by their own works or merits, no matter how good these may be in our sight, or to men generally.
Then how can you or I attain that position in which we may be "acceptable" to Him? Ah! Here is where the love and grace of God who is love, comes in, and has Himself provided the means whereby we may attain to that place, not as strangers, but as children,—sons and daughters! Listen to His own word about the matter,
God Himself has provided the way—His beloved Son.
His Son has provided the means,—His precious blood.
By believing, (faith), we attain the position,—We have everlasting life.
Then and then only, we are acceptable to God—Accepted in the Beloved.
Now as children, not as strangers—The Spirit beareth witness—that we are children of God.
Thus we find that we can have a treasure in heaven, a treasure without compare, even Christ Himself, and not only that, but we can build up upon that foundation, "gold, silver and precious stones" (1 Cor. 3:1212Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (1 Corinthians 3:12)).
Friend, is not this worth serious thought on your part? This treasure is an eternal treasure, that will never be exhausted, and the One who guarantees it, is none other than the Almighty and Everlasting God, maker of Heaven and Earth.