Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
“Consider that a heart set upon heaven will be one of the most unquestionable evidences of your sincerity, and a clear discovery of a true work of saving grace upon your souls. You are often asking, “How shall we know that we are truly sanctified?” Here you have a sign infallible from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself: “where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.”
God is the saints’ treasure and happiness; heaven is the place where they must fully enjoy Him. A heart, therefore, set upon heaven, is a heart set upon God; and surely a heart set upon God, through Christ, is the truest evidence of saving grace. When learning will be no proof of grace; when knowledge, duties, gifts will fail; when arguments from thy tongue or hand may be confuted; yet then will this, from the bent of thy heart, prove thee sincere.
Take a poor Christian, of a weak understanding, a feeble memory, a stammering tongue; yet his heart is set on God, he hath chosen Him for his portion, his thoughts are on eternity, his desires are there; he cries out, “O that I were there!” He takes that day for a time of imprisonment, in which he hath not had one refreshing view of eternity. I had rather die in this man’s condition, than in the case of him who hath the most eminent gifts, and is most admired for his performances, while his heart is not thus taken up with God.”
Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 11 “The importance of leading a Heavenly life upon Earth,” 123-124.
Is your heart set on heaven?
Baxter suggests that giving provides unquestionable evidence of our faith. Then he compares a poor ordinary bloke with a prominent one. The world lauds the latter and yet God sees and celebrates the former.
Which one are you?
As we enter the third week of Lent, make a list of possible changes might you make in your living, serving, and loving, to increase your giving. Take a step of action after mapping that list. See what happens.
Don’t let your life be found for lack of evidence.