Seeking Eternal Treasures

Gazanias, also called African daisies or treasure flowers, are prized by gardeners for their bright colors and how easy they are to cultivate. Native to South Africa, they do well in almost any soil and bloom mostly in late spring and early summer.

Like all plants, however, the treasure flower eventually fades and dies. This is a picture of what happens to temporal treasures. By contrast, we as followers of Christ are to seek eternal treasures. The world pursues money as a means to security, comfort, and power. Scripture, on the other hand, not only guides us toward different ends but teaches that the way we pursue treasure is not neutral. When we place the pursuit of wealth at the center of our life, it has negative spiritual effects, such as promoting greed and hindering generosity. That’s why God and money are mutually exclusive as masters—we can serve only one (Matt. 6:24).

The treasure in today’s reading is “godliness with contentment” (1 Tim. 6:6). As we’ve seen previously, material things don’t last (v. 7). That’s why, having our basic needs met should be enough for us (v. 8). The desire to get rich is a dangerous temptation. Those who fall into this trap are headed for “ruin and destruction” (v. 9). No wonder Paul wrote, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (v. 10).

Being rich isn’t sinful in and of itself, but it can be spiritually perilous (v. 17). Wealthy people may be tempted to trust in money rather than God. They should therefore make a special effort to pursue humility and practice generosity (v. 18). As for all believers, the focus should be on becoming “rich in good deeds” and storing up eternal treasures (v. 19).

Pray with Us

The Lord has used Moody Publishers to strengthen believers and to make Christ known in many countries. We are grateful for the service of its Creative and Production department: Judy Tollberg, Kathryn Warren, Ryan Lloyd, and Zachary Cordes.

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.