Consider carefully Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,
A challenging question arises. … Where is our treasure really?
We all have a pretty clear idea what storing up treasure on earth might look like…well at least how it might apply to others.
Jesus challenges people a little further in vs 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Mammon)
What are we DEVOTING our lives to? – who are we SERVING really?
OURSELVES:our reputation / our possessions / our comfort / our gifting / our sense of assignment / Our revelation…..
OR THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY – The Sovereign Lord of the Universe. Our Creator, Our Redeemer – Our Father.
that’s the issue!
How do we store up treasure in heaven? Surely it has to do with the place we give to our relationship with God.
Matthew 6: 33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, ….
We can be so wrapped up in seeking to advance His Kingdom that we miss His kingship over our hearts. Before mission we are called to seek first the One who is the greatest treasure – The High King over all
I want to illustrate this surrender by reference to my recent Prayer Journey to Ireland – 25 Aussies in the team under the Leadership of Ps Ben Gray and Jonathan Gould.
I’ll consider 2 figures from the Age of Saints and Scholars in Ireland – 5th -8th Century
Firstly St Kevin of Glendalough. (498 – 618).
Kevin’s early formative years instilled in him a profound desire to separate himself from the world and led to his decision to dedicate his life to God in prayer and adoration. He studied for the priesthood, and following his ordination, he left the monastery and retreated into the wilderness of the Wicklow Mountains. He lived as a hermit in a rocky niche above the lake at Glendalough, close to nature with the birds and animals as his companions for seven years. During this time, he went barefoot – wore only animal skins – slept on stones (In Irish Winter) – ate sparingly of nettles and herbs.
At times he would stand in the cold waters of the lake reciting the psalms and keeping vigil – a common penitential practice for Irish monks.
Over time word spread – a Holy Man lived in the valley – men came searching for wisdom. They gathered around him and a substantial monastic community emerged. Pilgrims travelled from across Ireland to seek teaching, prayer and spiritual direction.
Glendalough grew into a bustling monastic city that included spaces for copying manuscripts, prayer and worship, studying scriptures. It included farm buildings, and even a medieval hospital. It became one of the great spiritual centres of Christianity in Ireland flourishing for 1,000 years.
What are the TAKEAWAYS FOR US from Kevin’s experience:
- Kevin began by turning his back on the world – seeking God’s rule over His life
- He spent time alone with God – In the stillness – in prayer vigil and worship. In reading and meditating on the Scriptures
- While he began in the secret place – the light that flowed called forth his engagement leading to the building of a transformative community of many who practiced a way of life built in encounter and presence in the secret place.
Obviously, God is not calling us to follow Kevin’s path of seven years isolation and extreme asceticism. That was for a special time and place. Kevin’s path to walk.
But Jesus does say when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. (Matthew 6: 6). He does begin the Lord’s prayer with – Father, hallowed be your name – your kingdom come. (Luke 11:2b)
A prayer of another early Celtic monk (Brendan the Navigator) from a different area gives evidence of this commitment of the heart to the King in the journey of life.
Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You
Second person – St Patrick (c390 – 460). Patron Saint of Ireland
- Patrick was kidnapped from the Welsh Coast in an Irish Raid at Age 16 and spent the next 6 years as a slave looking after sheep in the Irish hills.
- He had been raised in a Christian home – but had no relationship with God
- On the Irish hillside Patrick cried out to God and in the solitude encountered Jesus and developed intimacy with Him.
- After 6 years in response to a dream Patrick escaped from Ireland and then years later again in response to a dream, He returned to Ireland first to forgive his
former Master and then to evangelize across Ireland
Below is an excerpt from his famous Prayer – St Patrick’s Breastplate.
I BIND unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same the Three in One and One in Three.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Patrick bound himself to live in the presence of Christ. Christ is His Life….. Every moment lived in the protection and power of that presence.
What a great prayer! What difference would it make if we would dare make this our daily prayer.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
