"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34 (NASB) Jesus spoke these words about 2000 years ago. The background of this came when someone wanted Jesus to divide the family inheritance with him. Jesus let him, and us, know that there is more to life than the treasures we store up on this earth.

The things that we can see and touch are temporal in nature. They can be stolen. They can rust. Moths may eat them up. There are many treasures that we have on this earth. But if we are not preparing for the future life after this one is passed, we will have missed out on everything.

If I were to ask, "What is the most important thing in life?" I would probably get many different answers. Of course the most important is found in Matthew 22:37-40, "And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (NASB)

The Apostle Paul stated it like this in Romans 13:8, Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (NASB) When I love others I am laying up treasures in Heaven. When I am serving others I am laying up treasures in Heaven. When I am obedient to the will of God, I am laying up treasures in Heaven.

When we look around at our world today, we find there are many who are concerned only for themselves. All of the things they do are for themselves only. That is so foreign to the Bible that we are called upon to follow.

"Well, Doug," you may ask, "does that mean that we shouldn't prepare for our future on this earth? Are we to only be concerned about the after life?" The answer to that is "No!" There is nothing wrong with having things. There is nothing wrong with having money and even saving money. But we must always be prepared to answer this question: Do my possessions possess me or do I possess them? Is my heart bent on accumulating things or money to the extent that I am ignoring God or others? Would I be willing to part with the things that I have? Would you? Not if we are trying to build up treasures on earth.

So, the question is, where is your treasure today? That will determine your destiny.