The Tale of Two Treasures

A farmer came to his wife excited, “Our best cow just gave birth to twin calves. We are going to give one to the Lord and keep one for ourselves.” “Which one are we giving to the Lord?” the wife asked. The famer said, “It doesn’t matter, we will raise them the same and then give half the money when we sell them.” A few months go by and one calf dies. The farmer says, “Bad news, the Lord’s calf died.”

Where is your Treasure?

Two commands: Don’t invest on earth. Invest in heaven.

In Bible days, people kept their valuables in clothing, grain, and coins within the house. These were susceptible to being eaten away or stolen. The breaking in was literally digging through a dirt wall.

Through history, we have developed more sophisticated means to guard our valuables, but theives always find a way to steal. (safes, banks, identity protection, etc).

Jesus wants his followers to invest themselves and their lives in that which lasts for eternity, because “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When you invest in something you care about what happens to it (give to missions, etc).

“You can’t take it with you, but you CAN send it ahead.” - Randy Alcorn

You only truly keep what you give away to the Lord. (Your life, your resources, investing in the life of others).

Matthew 16:24–26 ESV

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Two things from this life that last for eternity: The Word of God and the souls of people. What are you investing your life in?

There was once a wealthy man whom people often speculated over the amount of his estate (net worth). His own family did not even know the total. Finally, he passed away. Though they had not been together in years, the whole family gathered (sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and even some distant cousins), all waited for the reading of the will. Impatiently someone yelled out, “So how much did the old miser leave behind?” The attorney looked up and replied, “all of it.” You can’t take it with you, but you can store up treasure in heaven by following the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

How is your Vision?

Two types of vision: single / healthy vs. bad / stingy

The term “evil eye” often refered to greed or stinginess in the Bible. (used by

- beware of covetousness, a man’s life does not consist in the abudnance of his possessions. (parable of rich fool)

An eye that is open or healthy sees clearly and allows light in for direction.

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:18–19 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Are you seeing with eyes that have been enlightened by the Lord and understand your purpose?

Who is your Master?

Two masters: God or material wealth.

Some people say, “I can serve two bosses or masters.” but the word means to be a slave. You can only have one master!

- beware of covetousness, a man’s life does not consist in the abudnance of his possessions. (parable of rich fool)

Money will test your heart motives. If you serve money, you try to use God to gain wealth. If you serve God, you seek to use your resources for His glory!

Don’t spend your life chasing the pleasures of this world and find yourself empty in the end.

C.T. Studd - 29,000 pound inheritance ($40,000) worth $1.2 million today. Cambridge cricketer. Left it all and with his wife went to China as a missionary. Later pastored in India, African mission.

“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”