That Which We Treasure – October 29, 2023 – Eddington Presbyterian Church

Malachi 3:6-12, Matthew 6:16-21
October 29, 2023

As you know, I like to be creative, if I can, about sermon titles. And I toyed around with this one for a while, and I finally decided on “That Which We Treasure.” Because, as you also (may) know, I’m a grammar guy! And in this case, I wanted to be sure to have a title that used the word “Treasure” as a verb.

When we do that, when we use “treasure” as a verb – in other words, when we “treasure” something, it means to cherish something as being valuable and precious. We can treasure things. We can treasure people. We can treasure precious memories!

As you also may know, (because I’ve said it before,) Jesus used the word treasure as a verb here in this passage. (Jesus was a grammar guy, too!) You may recognize this passage as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Here he’s talking about treasures on earth and treasures in heaven. And, in doing so, he’s asking us what we “treasure.” There’s the verb. Jesus literally said here, “Do not treasure treasures on earth.” And as he said it that way, he pointed out something that’s also part of the definition of the verb “treasure.” He said that to treasure something involves the heart! And that’s where he gave us these iconic words, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

I think that’s one of the greatest things Jesus ever said! “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” That’s so true, isn’t it? A mentor of mine once said, and I agree with him, “You always have time for things that are important to you.” Isn’t that true? We always have time for that which is important to us. Even if we don’t have the time, we make the time. “And,” he said, “You always figure out a way to have money for the things that are important to you.” Think about that! Think about the things you spend money on.

We all have our hobbies. We all have our interests. We all have those things we do that we don’t actually need to exist in this world – things that are beyond the basics of food and shelter and clothing. Jesus went on to talk about them toward the end of this sermon. We all have those things are not necessarily basic to life, but they’re things that are important to us. And we figure out how to have the time and the money to do them. Don’t we?

And by the way, those hobbies and interest are part of life. They give us joy. And we’re all different. Somebody else’s interests may seem unimportant to us. But we need to be careful about judging what’s important to someone else. It’s too easy to do that, isn’t it?

There’s a fairly new word being used these days. It’s the word “collectable.” That word always seems a little awkward to me. But people use it. Anything can be “collectable.” That is anything can be “collected.” But I think the intent of the word is “desirable.” To say something is “collectable” means there are people out there who would love to have it because it’s one of their interests. Maybe some of you are collectors.

I hesitated doing this, because I was afraid of what I might find. But I did it anyway. I googled, “Strange things people have collected.” And I was right to be afraid! Here are just a few. People have collected Coca-Cola cans, banana label stickers, umbrella covers, air sickness bags (unused I hope!), sugar packets, and nail clippings! And those were just a few! The strangest part was that Google showed pictures of those collections!

It’s hard not to question someone’s judgment (or sanity!) when you hear such things. Maybe if we went around this room, we’d discover things that some of you collect, that others of us might think are strange. (And I know you’re going to tell me all about them!)

Now, I know that’s kind of silly, and it’s all in good fun. And of course there are things in all of our lives that are important in more serious ways. And whatever they may be, I think you’ll agree with my friend. We always make time, and we always find the money, for things that are important to us. And I think you’ll agree with Jesus, that to “treasure” something is a matter of the heart! “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

So Jesus is asking us to think about what we treasure. And he’s asking us to think about the treasures in Heaven. As he reached the end of this section of his sermon, he said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) But here, he’s asking us if God’s kingdom is important to us. Do we treasure the things of heaven? Do we treasure our faith, our relationship with God, our church?

Yes, this is one of the regular Bible passages we read at Stewardship time. And I think this is important, because it’s something we need to revisit – often! What do we treasure? And I think this is one of the best passages for Stewardship, because it comes right from the mouth of Jesus, himself. “Treasure the things of heaven,” he said. “Moth and rust don’t consume there, and thieves don’t break in and steal.” We talked last week how everything we have in this life will someday be for naught. The moth and the rust will win in the end.

And remember that Jesus isn’t saying we shouldn’t have things of earth. He wants joy for us in this life. He wants us to have things we enjoy. But he’s going deeper than that here. He’s asking us what we treasure. And he’s asking us to consider that it’s the things of heaven that will last. As Paul would say to the Corinthians, “We look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. Because the things that are unseen are transient that is “temporary,” but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (II Corinthians 4)

So, here at Stewardship time, we are called to ask ourselves, what’s important? What do we treasure? Where is our heart? Is our faith, our God, our church important to us? And of course the way I often talk about things like this is, what do we choose to be important. What do we choose to treasure? And sometimes, when we make a pledge, like we do at Stewardship time, it helps us to make that our choice.

So, give some thought this week about the important things in your life. Spend time with God, and think about how important he is in your life. And think about what it means to you to “treasure” the treasures in heaven.

Prayer

Eternal God, help us to have thoughts and visions of your kingdom this week, as we think about the importance of our faith in our lives. Bless our congregation as we look to the coming year. And we give you all glory and praise, now and forever, Amen