Jesus Christ speaking to his disciples said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves breaking and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
After considering life on earth and experiencing it to the full, denying himself nothing his heart desired, the Ecclesiastes concluded that all is vanity. He writes (1:2), “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” This is really his “thesis” which the rest of the book elaborates. Let me encourage you to read the book.
It is important to understand that, for the Ecclesiastes, the reality of death which spares no one on earth makes everything (life) meaningless. He says, “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labour that he can carry in his hand” (5:15). Accordingly, death is the ultimate thief who comes to make sure every human being dies loser….
Let me tell you, you don’t have to die loser if you believe in Jesus Christ (Christian). True, you can take nothing from your labour in your hand when you die, but your deeds (for the Lord) will follow you if you die in Him (Revelation 14:13). Moreover, death could mean accessing treasures that you stored up for yourself in heaven whilst you lived on earth -remember apostle Paul saying living for Christ makes death gain (Phil. 1:21). Now, that makes living really meaningful, doesn’t?
To store up means save continuously as from your investment, activities or productivity. How does one store up treasures (valuables) in heaven? It is important to understand that you can only store as treasure in heaven what is meant for and considered treasure (precious, rare) in heaven, not money or material possessions as they are of no use and not treasured in heaven….
John 6:27 comes to mind: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Please note that there is a kind of food to work (labour) for that does not spoil, but endures to eternal life. Also, eternal life is a gift that nobody can work for. Interestingly, Jesus’ said “my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). What about you? What do you labour or work for? Who do you live for?
You do not have to die loser. You can store up for yourself treasures in heaven by living for Christ/God everyday of your life on earth.
I pray that God help us all, in the name of Jesus Christ!
