By PST. Shana Wise
When I was a kid and used to go to the dentist and they had a treasure box that you could go to after your visit. And it was full of little toys and gifts for kids. Going to the treasure box was the best part of the visit because when you got there, it made you forget about sitting in the chair with the dentist.
I remember the excitement before opening the treasure box because I never knew what toy I was going to get once I opened it up.
Looking back, I believe the excitement was just the fact of the “treasure box”, and it was waiting for me to open it up and get my prize.
This remembrance came to my mind as I was reading the scriptures about treasure. Being a kid, you were never concerned about money, wealth, or position. You were probably like me, just satisfied by the simple things in life. These things could’ve been getting a toy from the treasure chest, playing with friends, or watching the latest cartoons.
Matthew 5:19-21, “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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:24 NKJV, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
These two scriptures talk about man’s heart and its allegiance. Some people will put their value on something other than the righteousness laws and ways of God. For these people, their “treasure box” meaning the container of their heart, prevents them from receiving all that God has for them. They would rather, keep the treasure box they have which is false security; than exchange it for the “treasure box” of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God’s treasures are more valuable and purposeful to us because they benefit our souls, bless us, and in return, we can be a blessing to others.
What do you think the treasures of the Kingdom are?
Matthew 19:16-22, “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
This is the problem with many people who have not committed to Christ. They want all the benefits of salvation, but they don’t want to give up anything.
Unfortunately, for many, the world has more of a hold of them than God.
So many have a treasure box that they feel is more valuable than the treasures of the kingdom of heaven.
This is deception at the highest level because the things that they are valuing are temporary and what Christ has for us is eternal.
Like the rich ruler, many people are just satisfied with just thinking that they are a good person yet being a “good person” will not gain you eternal life.
Jesus wanted the young man to give up the very thing that was competing with God. He wanted him to give up his “treasure box” and follow him. Jesus knew that this man’s wealth was his god, and that’s why he told him to go sell everything. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy and having a lot of money and resources, however, it is how you are living your life with these things that matter.
There are many wealthy people who are spiritually poor and dead. There are poor and impoverished people who are rich in spiritual blessings. The difference between these two types of people, and all of us, falls where their allegiance to; one either desires the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, while the other desires, the kingdom of this world which are the material things, instant gratifications, and prideful vanities of this life. Both these scenes represent the treasure box that rules the hearts of people.
Jesus is still challenging us in the same manner as this young man. He wants us to give up everything and follow him. Meaning, nothing in this world should have or be ruling heart more than the Father.
Mathew 19:23-30, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
One of Satan’s deceptions is that the things of this world are worth chasing after more than God. There will be many rich people in hell because they chose money over God.
When Jesus was talking to the disciples about how hard it is for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God, they thought that it would be impossible for anyone to get saved. Jesus responded, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Salvation is something that money cannot buy, yet the beauty of it is that it is a free gift from God. Salvation is something that man’s intellect cannot comprehend, rather it takes faith to receive it. Faith, love, joy, peace, wisdom, and other virtues of the Kingdom cannot be brought, but they are more precious than diamonds and gold.
God wants his children to give up anything that they value more than him, meaning he wants us to make a choice of who we will serve (Joshua 24:15).
To give up something for Christ means to sacrifice something that you perceive valuable to you. It looks like giving up control of your life and letting God lead the way.
Here are some instructions about becoming a disciple of Christ:
Luke 9:23, Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
When we decide to obey this scripture, then our lives will change for the better. We will start to reap the benefits of following Christ. Our treasure is found in Him. Will you decide to recommit your vow to him as a disciple of Christ? Will you forsake everything else to chase after God? Will you choose not to let the temporal things of this life distract you from your calling and purpose in God?
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About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor who founded and oversees Wise Choice Ministries with her husband Pastor Ron Wise. She is also the CEO and founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network. Dr. Wise is the author of Women’s Devotionals Acts of Intercession and Chief Women Arise, The Impact of Your Election, and the Basic Ministry Training Manual (all available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate it through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist who appears on social media outlets. Shana is married and has four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Basic Ministry Training Manual
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