5 Treasures to Store in Your Heart

You may remember Carol Channing. She was an actress/singer who would don an evening gown, long white gloves, a feather boa, and a plethora of rhinestone accessories while crooning “Diamond Are a Girl’s Best Friend” on prime-time television.

I can’t blame Carol. I see the appeal. I love all things that sparkle and shine too.

I know I will love that about Heaven. It will be so full of beauty and gems I think I will be perpetually in awe!

I’ve already decided on my heavenly wardrobe. One day I’ll wear a sapphire dress, and then maybe an amethyst dress the next, and so on (Revelation 21:19-21).

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with jewelry, Jesus speaks of another treasure.

He tells us of an eternal treasure and does so repeatedly so it must be important. I think we should listen. In the book of Luke He says:

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (6:45 ESV)

What are the good treasures we should have stored in our hearts?

Obedience

**Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV)**

We cannot be a Christ follower without being obedient. Our willingness to follow Jesus shows we love, trust and believe Him even if it doesn’t make sense at the time.

It also tells the world who our true King is, this earth is not our home, and our true reward will be in heaven when we get to see Jesus face to face.

Kindness

Micah 6:8 tells us to love kindness. That means being nice even when we don’t feel like (I am a work in progress : )).

Being kind is a choice we make because it glorifies God and draws others to Him. He chose the ultimate kindness by dying a criminal’s death for us even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide ourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:33-34 ESV)

No matter what a person’s belief system, kindness comes straight from the heart of our Lord and therefore makes the world a better place.

Plus it makes us feel good to do something kind for someone else.

Generosity

Our God is a generous God. He did not stop short of even sacrificing His own Son for you and me.

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21 ESV)

He offers an abundant life, lavishes us with the riches of His grace, and delivered us from the dominion of darkness (John 10:10, Ephesians 1:7-9, Colossians 1:13).

Our souls stir at the wonder of our physical world as well. We gaze in awe at God’s amazing creation from stars, to waterfalls, to mountains, to oceans, forests, etc. Not to mention the absolute miracle of a newborn baby.

Plus, we know all blessings come from God anyway. He has just allowed us to be stewards of our things while we are here on the earth. When we die, we take nothing with us.

Good Works

While Scripture makes it clear we are saved by grace and not by works, we are to express our gratitude for our salvation through good works (Ephesians 2:8-9, James 2:17).

Our faith and our actions must work together. Again, this not only helps others, but displays to the world the character of our Lord with the hope of drawing others to Him.

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:18-19 ESV)

Jesus Himself

I saved the best for last. For many years the ‘mystery of God’ was hidden but has been revealed in Christ.

When we know Jesus, we know God (John 14:7). Getting to know God may sound like a tall order but it is the delight of our lifetime.

The more we know God, the more wisdom and knowledge we attain, the better our lives and the more others will be drawn to Him for salvation! There is nothing better than knowing Jesus.