OUR FATHER WHO ADVISES US TO LAY UP OUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Ecclesiastes chapter 4 verses 7 - 8 says this;

There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. 

Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?”

This too is vanity and it is a grievous task.

The author, in this passage, looked at a particularly aggriegeous example of  meaninglessness in how some people live their lives.

A man, having  accumulated wealth, continued to work even when he didn't need to because he was not able to feel contentment.

This man, ceaselessly toiling, never took the time away from work to ask himself whom he was doing it for and why he had swamped himself with labours instead of enjoying other experiences in life.

The author concluded that unending labour and accumulating wealth when there was no heir added up to a pointless  and miserable existence.

In Mathew chapter 6 verses 19 - 21, the Lord Jesus gave counsel on these circumstances where He advised those inclined to accumulate wealth to do so in heaven rather than on earth where it would just rust away, be devoured by vermin or fall into the hands of other people;

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

How does one accumulate wealth in heaven rather than on earth?

Firstly,  secretly give to the needy.

Mathew chapter 6 verses 3 -4 ; But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Proverbs chapter 19 verse 17;  Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Secondly,  join the work  of the Kingdom of God

Mathew chapter 5 verses 11 - 12; “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Amen

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