THE TREASURES THAT AWAIT

 

February 6, 2025



Matthew 6:24 

"24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Hebrews 11:24-26 

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward.

As we continue to look at the life of Moses and how God used a seemingly ordinary man to undertake extraordinary feats, we’re reminded today of his intentional choice to be faithful to God, despite the challenges he faced.

Moses had a choice to make. In our modern world a life filled with riches, power and pleasures at any time would be the "right" choice to make. The Biblical story tells us repeatedly that there is something of a far greater reward than temporary and momentary treasures of this world. We see that Moses was devoted to God, even though he faced incredible outside pressures from day to day. His resolve to be faithful did not put him on "easy street", no, being devoted to God had some tough costs for him, however, Moses had made his choice and pre-decided that no matter what comes his way he would always yield to God’s will and purpose. 

Faithfulness to God is not accidental. We don’t just fall into it, you must, like Moses, at some point say "I have decided" to follow God no matter the cost. Moses is characterized throughout the Bible as one who was faithful and obedient to God's direction. We are told that he "spoke to God face to face as with a friend." In our verses above about Moses, we read he, "regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward." Moses knew there was a greater reward awaiting him.

In Christianity, we can expect several future rewards, often referred to as crowns in the Bible. 

Here are a few of them:

Crown of Life: James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (James 1:12)

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

Crown of Righteousness: In 2 Timothy 4:8 we are told that "there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”


Crown of Glory: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
(1 Peter 5:4)

Crown of Rejoicing: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19) The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).


Imperishable Crown: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is disciplined in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).

Thanks be to God!!