Last month, we saw that treasuring the material world leaves us poor where it counts, that we lack deep, abiding joy when we treasure the material things of this world, and how treasuring the material world robs us of knowing God’s care.

Now we will see the value of resting in God as we treasure Christ.

Treasuring Christ has eternal value as we rest in God

We’ve seen what treasuring the wrong things does. Now we look to treasuring rightly.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:32–34).

Christ is the place of respite for the soul that struggles with covetousness or anxiety. Fear not because God wants you to succeed in the right kind of living — His Kingdom. So build up the right kind of treasure. Are you toiling for money or excess? Are you planning your life around accumulation of wealth?

What success is more successful than doing the eternal will of God? And God wants you to succeed in Him. 

Let’s break it down:

• We have needs in this life
• We are only able to control so much
• God says He will give us all we need
• God calls us to believe His promises of providence
• God loves us and wants us to succeed in following Him
• God empowers us to be able to faithfully follow Him

Conclusion: The only reason we lack rest in God as we seek to treasure God is that we often believe the subtle lie: “God is not truly for us.” We believe the lie that “God is going to fail you this time.”

God’s promises are greater than our selfish desires

Jesus is saying we can use our wealth in service of others, amassing eternal treasure, and God will make sure we are provided for. But this promise is not that God will provide for us the way our selfish hearts want Him to provide.

No, His promise is greater than that. Our selfish hearts lack foresight and tend to want things that fail us. God’s promise of providence is that we will always have exactly what we need to be faithful.

How do we know this? Because the Jesus who was teaching these things had a redemptive purpose. He intended to die so we could be free in Him. Free of sin and death and condemnation. So we could know the riches of God now and fully forever more.

Jesus is the everlasting and all-sufficient treasure of God for us. What treasure is greater than Jesus? What can satisfy more than His love? What riches exceed God’s grace in Christ?

There is nothing more rich than the love of God toward us in Christ Jesus our Lord. But maybe today you’ve lost sight of that. Or you’ve had your heart opened to the riches of God for the first time right now.

Philip Ryken says it this way in his commentary on Luke: “I am rich toward God when his glory is my highest goal, when his worship is my deepest joy, and when his fellowship is my greatest satisfaction.”

Combat worry with truth: God’s treasure will never fail

Don’t let worry cripple you. Take it constantly to God in prayer. Combat anxiety with truth, letting others help speak into you about the issues as well.

Provide yourselves with treasure that does not fail. Treasure Christ, put your heart there. Repent and believe these wonderful promises of God, following after Him.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Rest in the good pleasure of your Father!” (Luke 12:32).