Hello hello! Let’s dive right in. This week we will wrap up the Eternal Treasures bible study.
Pt 1 is here: https://jessicamjacob.com/the-mind-is-a-gift/
Pt 2: https://jessicamjacob.com/eternal-treasures/
Our focus will be:
- Context of Matthew 6
- What Heaven treasures
- Finding safety in what the Lord values and protects
- How to pray against moths, rust, and thieves
Context of Matthew 6
Matthew 1 gives the genealogy of Jesus.
Matthew 2, more on Jesus’ journey; Matthew 3, John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism; Matthew 4, Jesus tested in the wilderness.
Matthew 5 is the Sermon on the Mount.Matthew 6 is on Giving to the Needy, Fasting, and then we come to Treasures In Heaven.
Following the section on Treasures in Heaven is the Do Not Worry verses and Matthew 6 ends there. Matthew 7 picks up with Judging Others, Asking, Seeking and Knocking, and more.
We can see an establishment of Jesus’ life, history, and heart. It’s as if Matthew, (the inspired writer) is giving us all this invaluable knowledge about Jesus so that when He starts to preach to us, we might believe Him.
To hear the Words of Jesus IS to hear the heart of heaven. Back in Pt. 1 of the Bible study, we asked the question: “What does heaven treasure?”
Heaven treasures Jesus. Jesus is a treasure of heaven. Heaven belongs to Him. Heaven is our treasure and was made by the treasure that is Jesus, and treasures its Maker.
I can see God treasures:
- Jesus
- Credibility
- The poor
- Those who mourn
- Those who are meek
- Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
- Those who are merciful
- Those who are pure in heart
- Those who make peace
- Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
- The law being fulfilled
- The preciousness of human life
- The sanctity of marriage
- Faithfulness in marriage
- Forgiveness
- Loving your enemies
- How we pray
- Fasting
- Peace of mind
- How we judge others
- Asking, Seeking and Knocking
- The path to true life
- True and False Prophets
I could go on and on about what heaven values; I got all these from Jesus Himself.
How much of what heaven treasures do I treasure? Do me and my Father have the same values? Similar ones? Distinctly different ones?
Looking inside myself, I do value so much of what He values. I can’t lie and say that there aren’t things God calls important that I struggle to put first. All of us do.
Nevertheless, He shows us in Matthew 6 and through all of Scripture what He cares about. These are the things moth and rust would destroy and thieves would steal.
If I value what God values, I not only have His safety but also His protection. He protects what He loves and has a special place for these things, a place He calls heaven. If I care for things God does not care for, those things do not come with His safety and His protection. His grace remains sufficient, but the special indestructible safety of heaven is ONLY for what is valuable; what heaven will hold. Or if I only care about my own goals and focus, I risk breaking my own heart because what I care for can be stolen and destroyed. Only what belongs to God will last.
God values my heart. My mind. He values my time. Do we value His heart, mind, and time?
And how exactly is value defined? Obedience. Yielding. Trust. Respect.
This whole subject is intricate and deep, but I don’t expect anything less from a study/conversation about God.
How do we pray against moths, rust, and thieves? I will allow Holy Spirit to lead me as I write a prayer. May it be a blessing to you all.
Thank you for spending this time with me.
“Father, thank You for showing us what matters to You. Thank You that we matter to You. Please forgive us for valuing things that can be destroyed, stolen, lost, or forgotten. We want Your eternal treasures. Our heart is weak, Abba. Easily distracted and tempted. But the more time we spend with You, the more we become like You. Many of us are not like how we were when You called our name- we’ve grown. We have much more growing to do. Lord, we ask that our treasures not be destroyed by mishandling and neglect. May our precious treasures not be consumed by little moths and growing rust. You are a God Who teaches all Your children about care and maintenance of the heart and soul. We want to learn how to care for Your heart and our own. Protect us, God. Keep us in Your safety and covering. Don’t let thieves steal what we have; these thieves don’t love us like You do and would gladly see us destitute and distraught. Lord, You desire that we be kept. Keep us, O God. Keep us. Keep us close. Keep the doors of our hearts locked against thieves and our purpose shielded against destruction. We ask that You cover our families the same, the home of our heart and our actual homes, our families, children, city, nation, country, and universe. God, You are our only safe place. Teach us to value what You value. Teach us that we are valued. Teach us to value You. Thank You for this time of teaching. In the Name of Jesus, amen.”
I would enjoy doing more Bible study with you all again. Thank you for reading.