JANUARY 8 READINGS…MATTHEW 6
We continue reading the “Sermon on the Mount”. Jesus teaches His would-be followers what it means to live in the kingdom of God. He instructs us that when we give, pray, or when we fast, we are to do these to the Lord alone. To boast of what we give to the Lord causes us to lose the real blessing of giving. We should never pray to draw attention to ourselves. Nor should we fast so people see how pious we are. Each of these three things are to be done to the Lord…and should remain between ourselves and the Lord. Jesus then tells us about what is important and what is of eternal value. He warns us not to store up treasures here on earth…not to invest our whole lives acquiring earthly wealth or material items. Everything tied to this world will one day pass away. None of us can take anything to heaven, except our eternal soul. When we evaluate the wealth of this world in comparison to the value of the human soul…there is no comparison. Yet, if we are honest, most would have to admit that they put more time, effort, and energy in the things of this world, than in the things of eternity. We are called to quit spending so much of ourselves trying to hold on to that which are not able to hold. We have been brought into the kingdom of God, which makes us citizens of His kingdom…we must move past living in the kingdom of this world, and live in the kingdom of our citizenship.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…MATTHEW 7
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