Monday's Resolution {Laying Up Treasures in Heaven}

Photo Credit

We are picking apart Jonathan Edward's 70 Resolutions, one week and one resolution at a time. Don't forget to start where he did- "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake."

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of , or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

For the ins and outs of day to day life, I am incredibly earth bound. At any time I have one thousand temporal concerns flying about my mind. The dishes, the laundry, the dinner, an article to write, what she said, bills to pay, possessions I'd like to obtain... so focused on the temporal, on the here and now.

This morning as I read 2 Peter chapter 3, a few verses in particular caught my eye. Peter is discussing the approaching Day of the Lord, assuring these believers that it will come, long as the wait may seem, and that one day the heavens and earth will all be burned.

Verse 11 follows: "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,".

These temporal things- my home, belongings, computer, and writing, etc.- some day {soon} they are all going to burn. They are not nearly so important as I often feel they are.

No, rather, I ought to be pursuing a life of holiness and godliness. I ought to be investing myself fully in the things that will last- God, His Word, and people's souls. I ought to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as possible, with all of my might, energy, and zeal.

Luke 12:33-34 also comes to mind: "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

A few years ago these verses vice-gripped my heart as the thought finally dawned on me- God wants my treasure to be in heaven, because where my treasure is, there my heart is. He is in heaven, He wants my heart to be with Him. 

These earthly things are not forever, they don't last, they don't matter for long. Heavenly investments are eternal. I'd much rather be poor in worldly goods for a short season, than to be spiritually bankrupt for eternity.

So I must ask you, dear one, where is your heart today? Is it on high with your King, accumulating everlasting glories? Or is it tangled in the mire of worldly cares?

May God give us the grace to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.