Date: Wednesday,
July 22, 2015
Chapters: Ecclesiastes
9-12
Message Title: What We Treasure

Hello
My Friend,

Treasure, it is amazing to learn of the things
that one treasures. Some people treasure what the world gives them,
such as wealth and fame, while others treasure people. Some treasure
things that are given to them, while others treasure what is in their
mind. What we treasure the most is determined by what our heart
desires. If we are seeking godly things the heart will long for
those, likewise, if we are seeking worldly things the heart will long
for those. Interestingly enough though, when we give our hearts to
God He places new desires upon them and gives us treasures that
nothing here on earth can compare to. “Lay
not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -
Matthew 6:19-21.

Solomon went through a great deal of pain
to know how God works regarding the poor and the rich, although he
was no closer to an answer than when he first began, he did come up
with one conclusion, God's hand is in it all. “For
all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the
righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no
man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All
things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to
the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him
that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so
is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. This
is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there
is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full
of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after
that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined to all the living
there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the
living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is
forgotten.” - Ecclesiastes 9:1-5.

Poverty and
riches come to both the saved and the unsaved, God's hand is in all
His people, whether He gives us poverty or riches. Why does He allow
some of us to become wealthy while others struggle to make ends meet?
God does not look at our pockets to show us how wealthy we are, He
looks at our faith. He's going to trust us with what we are able to
handle, so if you are someone who struggles, count it a blessing
because God sees your faith in Him. By the way, the saved living in
poverty are wealthier than the unsaved richest on earth. Why? The
richest man will die and end up in hell. “But
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and
made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the
ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
- Ephesians 2:4-8.

Solomon realized that one day we will
all be judged for our actions as adults. In our youth, it's easy to
fall for the things of the world because we are learning and growing,
but as we grow everything we do, whether we are saved or not is
eternal. “Truly the light is sweet, and a
pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: But if a man
live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the
days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in
the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in
the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God
will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy
heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are
vanity.” - Ecclesiastes 11:7-10.

The saved may
not be cast into hell, but that does not mean we will not accountable
for what we do here on earth after we are saved, our judgment comes
before God takes us home. The unsaved are going to do what they want,
yeah, they may be extremely wealthy, but their judgment comes when
they face Jesus. It often takes sorrow to bring us to the knowledge
of Christ, and that is why some of the wealthiest people face some of
the biggest tragedies, but sadly refuse to acknowledge Him. “Marvel
not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have
done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do
nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek
not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
- John 5:28-30.

Solomon spent his lifetime searching for
treasures from every worldly source he could find, money, women,
work, possessions, wisdom, he used the word vanity over thirty times
in the Book of Ecclesiastes and concluded that ignoring the Word of
God was vanity of vanities. “The preacher
sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was
upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and
as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from
one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making
many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the
flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and
keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God
shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” - Ecclesiastes
12:10-14.

When we begin to seek the things that are in the
world, our heart turns away from God and toward our flesh. There
comes a time in our lives when we must grow up and stop seeking
pleasure in something that will never truly satisfy. It is only when
we give our hearts completely over to God that we will find true
treasures, not only here on earth, but in God's Kingdom as well.
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all
guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As
newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. But ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in
time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had
not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;” - 1 Peter 2:1-3, 9-11.

Today's
Prayer: God, Thank You for Your treasure chest of riches,
salvation, wisdom, and knowledge, among the least. You love Your
children and want the best for us, nothing brings You more joy than
seeing Your children joyful and happy, but sometimes we can lose
sight of our true treasures for the pleasures of the world,
especially when we are struggling. Lord, lead us and guide us, keep
us looking to You and not our circumstances, for You will supply us
with all our needs. As we walk by faith and not by sight, give us at
peace and comfort in our times as we hold to the true treasures that
can only come from a life with You. Keep our eyes and hearts on
You as we await the amazing treasures You have for us here on earth
and in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You,
I am praying for you,
Christina

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