PRIORITIES:
WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES?

WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES?

Priorities speak of the things we value most…the true center of our lives.

It seems that the most common misdirection of our lives usually involves the pursuit of worldly things.

Solomon understood the seduction of worldly things:

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”

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[11] “As goods increase,

so do those who consume them.

And what benefit are they to the owner

except to feast his eyes on them?

[12] The sleep of a laborer is sweet,

whether he eats little or much,

but the abundance of a rich man

permits him no sleep.”

WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES?

1. Earthly treasures are insecure.

We see it all the time: People thinking that worldly possessions will bring them joy only to be left empty.

….there are two reasons: worry and dissatisfaction.

1. Earthly treasures are insecure.

- A man can outwardly be a success and inwardly be a failure. (Plenty in your purse but nothing in your person.)

PSALM 49:18-20

Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper—[19] he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. [20] A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES?

1. Earthly treasures are insecure.

2. The treasures on high are incorruptible.

There are priorities which can accumulate lasting rewards.

MATTHEW 6:19-21

"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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

NOTE: Jesus ties the location of our heart to the location of our treasures (vs. 21).

This reward Jesus promises, can’t be deteriorated or taken—it is “guarded” for us.

I Peter 1:3-5

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

[4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

3. Our vision determines our values.

- Remember Jesus’ words….our treasures determine our true values. These treasures dictate the course of our lives and are visible for all to see.

PROVERBS 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.”

- The formula—“laying up for ourselves”—sounds so self-directed.

- Why would Jesus instruct us so?

….because training produces transformation.

- What investments are we making in life?

- Where are your treasures and, therefore, your heart?