Christian Success

In today’s world, success is measured by fat bank account, thin body, and viral popularity.  The purpose of life is all about here and now on earth.  But Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).

Jesus invites us to have a right perspective in life.  The things stored on earth are going to be destroyed.  Either they will be destroyed slowly by moth and rust or suddenly by thieves.  Even if we have them until the end, we will have to leave them behind.  After all, there will come a day when we shall say goodbye to this world and enter the world God has prepared for us.

According to Jesus, there is a strong possibility of sending our treasures ahead of us to the world where our treasures will be safely awaiting us when our time to leave this earth comes.  How shall we store our treasures in heaven?

1.     Jesus said “work for the food that will not perish” (John 6:63):  This food is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the true bread of life.  Whatever we do, it should be done by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Make Jesus the center of all your work in this world.  Your life, your family, your job, your business, your profession, and your everything ought to be centered in Christ.  In this way, you lay up treasures in heaven.

2.     Jesus said “seek God’s kingdom and righteousness” (Matt. 6:33, 10): Our work and prayer life should be motivated to bring God’s kingdom and righteousness in the place where God has kept us on this earth.  For everything we do, we must have this deep sense of longing to see our surrounding change into God’s kingdom where Jesus is glorified and people are blessed.  In this way, you lay up treasures in heaven.

3.     Jesus said “whatever you did to the least of my these brothers, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:31-46): Earlier in chapter 19 of Matthew’s gospel Jesus talks to the rich young ruler and tells him to sell everything and give it to the poor.  When the rich young ruler went away sad because he could not sell his property due to his greed, Jesus turns to the disciples and says “…don’t lay up for yourself treasures on earth”.  Then in chapter 25, Jesus expands as how the feeding a hungry, giving drink to a thirsty, welcoming a helpless stranger, clothing a naked, visiting a sick, and meeting a prisoner; all these actions were actually done to Christ.  In other words, while we are on earth, we must not be motivated by greed but by compassion.  We use our material possessions to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.  In doing this, we seem to be laying up treasures in heaven. 

4.     Jesus said “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15):  Jesus gave this awesome responsibility of sharing the gospel to save the lost into our hands.  The Bible gives us clear command to preach the gospel with all our life here on earth.  Every soul that would be saved from our sharing the gospel will be the treasure in heaven.

5.     Paul said “your help for the mission work will be credited to your account” (Phil. 4:14-20):  Philippian church had been a constant supporter of Paul and his companions so that they could preach the gospel in many other places.  In his letter, Paul thanks them and says that what they gave is actually stored into their account.  What they gave was a fragrant offering, acceptable and pleasing to God and thus God would supply all their needs from the stored treasures in heaven.  So, when we give for the cause of preaching the gospel, we lay up treasures in heaven.

Success for a Christian is therefore, to lay up treasures in heaven.  When our time on earth is done, God will welcome us into his kingdom where our treasures will be beautifully displayed.  Let us live with Christ as the center of our lives and compassion as the guiding principle of life.  Let us pray and do everything we can to share the gospel in order to have many souls in God’s kingdom.  Apart from this, all other success you will have is going to be left behind.