Jeff Schreve From His Heart Devotional

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From His Heart - Week of August 5

Where Is Your Treasure?

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon 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 or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 
Matthew 6:19-21

Some years ago, after I had left Nalco Chemical Company to go into the ministry, I sold all my Nalco stock for approximately $38 per share.  One month later it went to $42.  UGH!  After converting it to other stocks, the bottom dropped out of the market.  (I always seem to buy high and sell low.)  I lost one third of my portfolio within no time.  When I asked my broker about it (my best friend, Mike), he said, “You should be happy, Schreve.  I have lots of other clients who have lost way more than you have.”  Needless to say, that did not make me happy … nor did it instill confidence in Mike’s ability to successfully handle my investments. 

 
The bottom line is this: the financial world is up and down (and down and down, it seems).  Stocks that are hot today can be dog meat tomorrow.  The Bible tells people, “Not … to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).  Riches are uncertain at best.  Does money talk?  Yes!  It says, “Goodbye.”  Don’t trust in money.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, regardless of the circumstances.      
 
TREASURE IN HEAVEN?
 
Where is your treasure today?  Is most of it in the bank or in the stock market or in real estate?  How much are you investing in the Kingdom of God?  Jesus said if you invest in the Kingdom and support the work of the Kingdom, your investment will pay HUGE dividends now and for all eternity. 
 
The “now” dividend is that your heart will be free from the trappings of this world that weigh us down with worries and cares. 
 
The “all eternity” dividend will be to see your earthly financial investment transferred into the eternal salvation of souls. 
 
Paul said to the Philippians, “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account” (Philippians 4:17).  How would you like to start adding some heavenly profits to your account? 
 
A TRUE STORY
 
A few years ago, I was talking very frankly with a wealthy friend of mine who claimed to be a Christian.  I challenged this guy to take his millions and make a difference for the Kingdom of God.  I said to him, “You are approaching the end of your life (he was nearly ninety years old).  You can leave all your wealth to your children and see them greedily fight over every dollar, or you can give generously to God’s work and touch lives for all eternity.”  I encouraged him to invest in heaven’s bank, the only bank that ALWAYS pays a GREAT dividend.  Tragically, he chose to hold on to every last dollar … and he left it all to his children who began fighting over it before his body was even cold.   
 
WILL YOU TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD?
 
The Lord promises a great return on investment if we invest with Him.  He promises to meet our needs if we put Him first in our lives.  Money is not God, Jesus is … and He made it clear that you and I cannot serve God and money. 
 
The best way I know to break your dependence on the false god of money is to give generously, consistently, and sacrificially to the Lord’s work.  Remember, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Put your treasure in heaven’s bank … and your heart will follow.    
 

Love,

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Jeff Schreve
Pastor

jeff@fromhisheart.org
1-877-777-6171

Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls. Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.

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