Our Treasures by F. R. Richmond

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1875

Our Treasures.

By F. R. Richmond

In his sermon on the mount the Saviour said: “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.” Matt. 6:19, 20.

Now, all that the Lord requires of us is, directly or indirectly, for our good, though with our limited understanding we often fail to see in what way; “for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God,” and “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways.” Our relation to God is much like that of a child to its parent, and we are apt to reason upon his requirements as children often do upon the commands of their parents. When the child is requested not to eat sweetmeats, he argues that they will do him no harm, for he has often eaten them without receiving injury, and he thinks his parent unjust in thus restricting him. Men reason in a similar way on the command of Christ, “Sell that ye have and give alms.” They contend that many good men have been rich, and they can see no harm in retaining wealth, and that money will do a man no injury if he does not set his heart upon it.

As the child grows older, and his understanding enlarges, he can see that it was for his good that he was restrained. So may we, as we advance in life, look back and see that many things which we did not understand in their time have since proved to have been for our good; and no doubt, if we are ever made perfect we shall fully see the wisdom of God in all his dealings with us. May we not now with a little thought understand why it is that Jesus tells us not to lay up treasure upon earth? Indeed, he gives the reason: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

If we have our hearts upon the things of this world, we shall find no time nor desire for preparing to enjoy the heavenly treasure, and soon we will find that we have lost both this world and the next. May we not enjoy more even in this life with a hope of life to come, being free from the perplexities and troubles that accompany the accumulation of wealth, than with all we can obtain here? “The sleep of the laboring man is sweet whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Especially is this so in this time, when “men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”

A person of wealth knows not where he or his money is safe. There is danger in keeping his money by him; for burglars are becoming more and more bold, and the life of others is of but little account with them when money is to be obtained. It is not secure in the bank; bank robbers and defaulters are increasing in numbers. If it is invested in stock, it may soon depreciate, and thus fall into the hands of speculators; if in real estate, a conflagration may sweep it all away in an hour.

If a man has wealth in land, he will be troubled by the approach of a drought, or of some insect plague; or, if he owns live stock, the epidemics among them will cause him anxiety. All these calamities are increasing as we near the end, and, while they cause distress among the nations of earth, they are, to those having treasures laid up in Heaven, omens that the time is near when they will receive their inheritance. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Earthly riches do not form our only hindrance in the Christian course. Amusements, worldly associates, worldly honor, or dress, may take our affections, and be the means of our failing to secure the heavenly treasure. If we are prospered in our worldly pursuits, there is danger of giving them too large a share of our affections, and forgetting that we are but “pilgrims and strangers” here. “What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Then let us be in earnest in overcoming our desire for the things of this world, and make sure of the heavenly treasure.

F. R. RICHMOND.

Brightwood, Mass.