Matthew 6:19-21 NASB “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Bishop Jones wrote a devotional about these Matthew verses called Treasuring Your Treasures (6/22/2020) that said, “…the idea is treasuring Jesus and all of the treasures of Christ that are already stored for you in the heavenly realm. It’s all about the heart longing to discover and experience all that Jesus is and all that Jesus has.”
I think of the two times Luke tells us that Mary “treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” I picture her letting herself get lost in those beautiful memories and dreaming about what could lie ahead. The act of treasuring puts my heart and mind in such a different place, a better place. As a matter of fact, just thinking about treasuring something, even before I think of the thing, gives me a “warm” feeling inside. Just think if someone said to you, “I treasure you,” or “I’ll treasure your gift forever,” or “I want to give you my most treasured possession.” How do you think they feel? How would that make you feel to hear that?
I have thought about “treasuring my treasures” often since June and talked to several friends about how we can put it into practical, everyday practice, especially in trying times. One of my friends decided she wanted to treasure God’s wisdom each morning before she went into a challenging work situation. It is such a practical thing, and I want to do it every day, but admittedly I forget to do it more days than I remember.
As Christians, we have so many things to treasure. Today, I thought about the fruit of the Spirit as I was driving along route 219 from Selma to Fairfield. Scripture tells us to “desire earnestly” the gifts of the Spirit, but what about the fruit of the Spirit? What would happen if I started treasuring the fruit of the Spirit?
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
As I start going through all nine, I begin to feel different on the inside, the best version of myself, like that new creation we often talk about. When I think of treasuring love, I remember what it feels like to love and find it is still all right there in my heart. When I focus on it, it seems to grows three sizes bigger, like the Grinch’s heart, and that is before I even begin treasuring it. When I think of treasuring peace, I remember what peace feels like, and I start experiencing it in the here and now. Not that feelings should drive you, but it is part of walking in the fullness of all the wonderful things God has given us. It stirs my heart to “long to discover and experience all that Jesus is and all that Jesus has,” as Bishop Jones said.
Now, what if I actively chose to treasure the fruit of the Spirit, not just seek it, or ask for it, or thank God for it, but to treasure it, letting each aspect sink into my heart? What if I dare to so treasure the work of the Holy Spirit in me that I value it more than any external thing, even the gifts?
I dare you to try it!