Where is Your Treasure?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

For a number of weeks the top story in the national news has been concern about the United States economy, especially the level of national debt.  Perhaps this story should have been news before we got to the point of today’s financial difficulties.  However, the news is not only political, but in a lot of cases the news about the economy affects us personally.  What if our income buys less than it used to buy?  What happens when people’s investments or retirement funds diminish?  What if the U.S. government can’t meet its obligations?  So, concerns about our national the economy are on the minds of many. 

But, do we have the same kind of concern about another kind of treasure?  Do we spend as much time or energy working to strengthen our faith?  Do we work as hard to grow in patience and kindness and love as children of God?  Do we spend as much effort to strengthen our relationship with our Lord through prayer and worship as we spend caring for our earthly possessions?

Listen to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount.

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I am not saying that we should ignore earthly possessions.  God calls us to be good stewards so we can use the earthly blessings He gives us to strengthen Him and love others.  But, as Jesus said, our Heavenly treasures last forever compared to the things of this world.  What Jesus did not say in this verse is that our eternal life is more valuable than the possessions of this world.  Jesus, the Son of God, paid for our eternity with His own life!  In God’s sight we are worth dying for!!!

What and where is your treasure?  Know that as the Father in heaven gave His Son for you, HE treasures YOU!

A Child of God, Seeking treasure that lasts,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  On August 1 I took Pastor Jonathan Goeke and his family fishing.  He used to be pastor in Fairbanks, and is now in Texas.  While he was visiting Alaska again, we went fishing on the Deshka River. Here are pictures of that trip.  Even the children caught fish!! https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/DeshkaSilversAugust12011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

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