MOTHS RUST and THEIVES
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
Matthew 6:19-20 gives us a glimpse of the difference in the quality of things that are eternal as compared to the temporary quality of things of this earth. I like so much the way God does not waste or mince words in what He says about that quality difference...He looks at this subject in three different ways...Moths, Rust, and Thieves. As we begin to unpack this concept for study there is much to say.
Moths are generally associated with clothing, which in the Eastern cultures are associated with wealth. Today many who are throughout the world are caught up by that same desire to look good always no matter if they have any real substance or not in wealth. The garment industry has really cashed in on how we all look. It is a part of the beauty industry in general which allows us to to maintain a false look of glamor or wealth to those around us and so we are all accepted as equals on the surface. This is really only the beginning of the message given here...Luke 12:23 speaks of "treasures in the Heavens that failed not", and then James 5:2 refers to Moth eaten garments. The smallest thing can ruin the wealth of any garment such as a moth hole.
The second figure of speech is "Rust" which just like a moth hole can render something worthless. It isn't confine to just corroding, or eating into a precious metal; but to the actual decay and destruction of the integrity of anything. When you consider the ways we allow our lives and spirits to be exposed to the rust of this world there isn't any wonder why there many Christians today who are dealing with decay in their spiritual world. Once the rust has started the only way to preserve the piece is to strip away the corroded places and use some kind of material to graft in and replace the original. That takes time and work, but it can be done...the thing is that the piece will never again be worth the same amount. It may look and feel the same to people, under every kind of test it will never hold up to perfection. These really represent both outward and inward signs of destruction.
The third figure is "Thieves" which is the area that we are the most familiar with because we hear about it the most. I would like to suggest that this isn't what we would think of as a normal kind of theft but a kind of slight of hand that this world plays on many people.
What we see happening is that people become very poor in the riches of God in their lives and try so hard to hang on to the wealth they have accumulated in this world. The world knows all along that sooner or later that wealth will be recycled to someone else to do with as they wish. The chances of holding on this earthly wealth is zero...because all wealth perishes. Jesus teaches that the visible treasure of this world has a great and obvious attraction like that of gold and jewels; many times in land, houses, shares of stock or cars.
True wealth is not found in the visible things, but in that which we cannot see, like relationships and talent, learning, and growing in our spirits. The wealth is in creating the understanding of love, and a heart to have mercy. It is this that the moth, rust, or theif cannot take from us. This is the beginning of understanding the Kingdom of Heaven and the need for complete unity of our mind and soul with our creator. I pray that we can begin to receive that message more this year as we study together...may you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
Matthew 6:19-20 gives us a glimpse of the difference in the quality of things that are eternal as compared to the temporary quality of things of this earth. I like so much the way God does not waste or mince words in what He says about that quality difference...He looks at this subject in three different ways...Moths, Rust, and Thieves. As we begin to unpack this concept for study there is much to say.
Moths are generally associated with clothing, which in the Eastern cultures are associated with wealth. Today many who are throughout the world are caught up by that same desire to look good always no matter if they have any real substance or not in wealth. The garment industry has really cashed in on how we all look. It is a part of the beauty industry in general which allows us to to maintain a false look of glamor or wealth to those around us and so we are all accepted as equals on the surface. This is really only the beginning of the message given here...Luke 12:23 speaks of "treasures in the Heavens that failed not", and then James 5:2 refers to Moth eaten garments. The smallest thing can ruin the wealth of any garment such as a moth hole.
The second figure of speech is "Rust" which just like a moth hole can render something worthless. It isn't confine to just corroding, or eating into a precious metal; but to the actual decay and destruction of the integrity of anything. When you consider the ways we allow our lives and spirits to be exposed to the rust of this world there isn't any wonder why there many Christians today who are dealing with decay in their spiritual world. Once the rust has started the only way to preserve the piece is to strip away the corroded places and use some kind of material to graft in and replace the original. That takes time and work, but it can be done...the thing is that the piece will never again be worth the same amount. It may look and feel the same to people, under every kind of test it will never hold up to perfection. These really represent both outward and inward signs of destruction.
The third figure is "Thieves" which is the area that we are the most familiar with because we hear about it the most. I would like to suggest that this isn't what we would think of as a normal kind of theft but a kind of slight of hand that this world plays on many people.
What we see happening is that people become very poor in the riches of God in their lives and try so hard to hang on to the wealth they have accumulated in this world. The world knows all along that sooner or later that wealth will be recycled to someone else to do with as they wish. The chances of holding on this earthly wealth is zero...because all wealth perishes. Jesus teaches that the visible treasure of this world has a great and obvious attraction like that of gold and jewels; many times in land, houses, shares of stock or cars.
True wealth is not found in the visible things, but in that which we cannot see, like relationships and talent, learning, and growing in our spirits. The wealth is in creating the understanding of love, and a heart to have mercy. It is this that the moth, rust, or theif cannot take from us. This is the beginning of understanding the Kingdom of Heaven and the need for complete unity of our mind and soul with our creator. I pray that we can begin to receive that message more this year as we study together...may you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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