Glory to God! Let us begin this week’s SftW meditation thinking about an incident that happened around three thousand years ago in Israel during the leadership of Samuel. Samuel (son of Elkanah and Hannah [1 Samuel 1:1-28]) served the Lord God his entire life as a priest (1 Samuel 2:18; 7:9-10a), judge (1 Samuel 7:15-17; 12:11), prophet (1 Samuel 3:20), and anointer of the very first two kings in Israel, namely Saul, son of Kish a descendant of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 10:1); and David son of Jesse of Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1-13). The incident we discuss here is about God’s faithfulness in delivering the Israelites from the oppression of Philistines, which is briefly narrated in the First book of Samuel chapter seven. The Israelites, as the consequence of forsaking the Lord, the God of their fathers, faced a disastrous defeat by the Philistine army during the leadership of Eli the priest. In the battle, Eli’s two sons (Hophni and Phinehas) were killed and the Ark of God was captured and taken to the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1-11; 5:1-2). However, the Philistines returned the Ark of God to the territories of Israel as the hand of the Lord was heavy on the people of the Philistine territories and threw them into a great panic, especially the people of Ashdod, Gath, Ekron, [Gaza, and Ashkelon] (1 Samuel 5:1-6:21). When Samuel took the office of the Judge in Israel following the death of Eli, he invited all Israel to assemble at Mizpah and urged them to repent and return to the Lord, and He prayed for them. God was pleased with the people of Israel as they repented and returned to the Lord and pledged to serve Him only (1 Samuel 7:4-6). When the Philistine army was drawing closer to attack the Israelites again at Mizpah, prophet Samuel interceded for the people of Israel and the Lord Himself fought against the Philistines with loud thunder and routed them before the Israelites and gave them victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:10-11). Following the Israelites’ victory over the Philistines, prophet Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying: Thus far the Lord has helped us (1 Samuel 7:7-12), it stood as a memorial stone pillar to remind future generations of Israelites about God’s faithfulness in giving victory against their enemies.

The lesson for us to learn from this incident is that when the Israelites listened to prophet Samuel’s spiritual counsel and followed their God wholeheartedly and served Him alone, God gave their enemies into their hands and with the help of God they defeated their enemies (refer to: Psalm 81:13-14; Isaiah 48:18; Jeremiah 7:23). Similarly, if we follow all that the Scripture says and obey the instructions wholeheartedly, the Lord will definitely give you and me the strength necessary to overpower the tactical attacks of enemies who work against us. Remember, an ordinary stone became an extraordinary stone when it is picked up and placed as a memorial stone in order to remember a great victory the Lord gave to His people against a powerful enemy (1 Samuel 7:7-12). In the light of this, as God’s dearly loved children (Ephesians 5:1), let us place ourselves in the hands of God for Him to take full charge of our life and use it for His glory and purpose. Thus, you and I, being ordinary people in this competitive world, can become extraordinary people if we submit our lives in the hands of God and allow Him to use our life according to His will and for His purpose, as God has a definite plan and purpose for each of His creation (Psalm 33:11; 57:2; 138:8; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 46:10-11; 55:11; Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 13:36; Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:6).

The Lord has blessed us with a simple but hard to follow (humanly thinking) Scripture passage for our SftW meditation this week, which is taken from the Gospel according to Matthew 6:19-21. This passage is actually part of the Sermon on the Mount Teaching series of Jesus that He specifically taught His disciples and others who followed Him faithfully (Matthew 5:1-7:29). The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of Jesus’ teachings, which includes the Beatitudes; the Kingdom values, lessons on how to live in the world as His followers; the Law and its fulfillment; topics on prayer, fasting, giving, judgement; the importance of storing treasure in heaven; the wise and foolish builders; and so on. The passage we chose for this week’s meditation specifically talks about the importance of storing treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). We can see here that Jesus commands His followers, including His disciples, not to gather and store up their treasures on earth rather store it up in heaven.

There is a vast difference between the earthly kingdom and the Kingdom of God. Earthly kingdoms are ruled by human beings and are temporary; they use political power and military strength to stay in power; they use force to keep everyone under control and defend themselves against enemy kingdoms; they use so-called man-made socio-religious and cultural principles to promote fading dignity and pride; and so on. 1 Samuel 8:10-18 talks about the way the earthly kings/rulers take advantage of their subjects (please read the passage to delve deeper on this topic). On the other hand, the Kingdom of God is established and ruled by God. Prophet Zechariah prophesied: The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name (Zechariah 14:9; also refer to Psalm 103:19; 1 Timothy 1:17). Unlike earthly kingdoms, God’s kingdom is not a temporary kingdom but it is a permanent Kingdom, in fact, it is an everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 145:13; Daniel 4:3, 34; 6:26; 7:14, 27). Righteousness, justice, love, faithfulness and so on are the foundations of God’s Kingdom, as Ethan the Ezrahite wrote:

The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. You created the North and the South; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you (Psalm 89:11-14)

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He taught His disciples and others who followed Him faithfully so much about the Kingdom of God and how can one inherit the Kingdom of God. It is understood that only those who abide in Christ Jesus (John 15:4) and obey the righteous laws and decrees and commands the Lord God gave (Deuteronomy 6:1) will be eligible to enter the Kingdom of God. In other words, a person ought to have a born again experience, as Jesus said: Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3; also refer to Ezekiel 36:26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23). Jesus repeatedly stated that the Kingdom of God (also called as the Kingdom of Heaven) is not a physical kingdom with borders and shapes and filled with material things and so on, as most people think about kingdoms. Jesus made it clear when He responded to Pilate during the Roman trial after His arrest: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place (John 18:36); and elsewhere Jesus said: … the kingdom of God will not come with observable signs (Luke 17:20). Apostle Paul stated: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval (Romans 14:17-18). Apostle Paul continued saying: Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).

The concept of the Kingdom of God would become a reality for a person or a group of people only when they accept the Lordship of God over their life and continue to abide in Him and faithfully follow the requirements of the righteous laws and decrees and commands the Lord God has given to them. In the Kingdom of God, there are no divisions or partitions but all will be like One Big Family under the Lordship of our Heavenly Father. Apostle Paul stated while writing to the believers in Ephesus:

You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-21; also refer to: Exodus 6:7; Psalm 47:7-8; 121:5-8; Isaiah 25:8; Jeremiah 7:23; 30:22; 1John 3:1-2; Hebrews 3:1-6; Revelation 7:15-17; 21:3-4)

At the end of the age, the kingdoms of the world will turn out to be the Kingdom of God, as Apostle John prophetically uttered: the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15b). King David understood about it and said: All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations (Psalm 22:27-28). Thus, everyone in the Kingdom of God will come directly under the reign of God.

In earthly kingdoms, there are lots of divisions and disparities between individuals as well as between groups. The rich are rich and the poor remain as poor and live in poverty for their entire life. The rich may have plenty, even to spare, but most of them don’t share their blessings with others. Most people gather up wealth and keep their belongings for themselves. As their wealth increases, most people become more and more self-centered, self-seeking, selfish and utterly egocentric. Their eyes are blinded towards the poor and the needy. They either spend their available resources by themselves for their own satisfaction or keep it for their next generation (their descendants). Some egocentric people neither spend it for themselves nor share it with others who are in need but hide it somewhere and lose it at the end of their life.

In the Kingdom of God, its citizen’s lifestyle requirements are set by God and it is mandatory to follow them without compromising with anything else in the world. God’s people are commanded to live their life according to the righteous laws and decrees and commands the Lord God has given them. They are asked to share their wealth and other available resources with anyone who is in need (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Luke 3:11-14). Apostle John stated: If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person (1 John 3:17). We can learn from the Scripture that the believers during the Apostolic era were one in heart and mind and no one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had with everyone else, especially with those in need and, thus, there were no needy persons among them (Acts 4:32-35). Proverbs states that Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done (Proverbs 19:17); also, it is stated that It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy (Proverbs 14:21); and Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses (Proverbs 28:27; also refer to Deuteronomy 15:7-14). Jesus said: The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40). The Scripture also states that Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act (Proverbs 3:27). The author Hebrews stated … do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:16). James the brother of Jesus wrote: If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them (James 4:17; also refer to Matthew 5:42; Romans 13:8; Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 13:16). It is written that People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell (Proverbs 11:26).

While the world takes away from the little you have, God gives to anyone who is in need or asks Him for their necessities. In the Kingdom of God everything belongs to everyone, which will bring blessing and reward upon them; whereas in earthly kingdoms everyone holds on to what they own. Apostle Paul wrote:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Having worldly treasures and not using them for good or godly purpose will bring judgment upon us instead of blessings or reward (James 4:17). Let us try to listen and understand what King Solomon, who spent a lot of earthly wealth and resources for improving his lifestyle has to tell his hearers/readers:

I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me … I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11)

At the end of his life, king Solomon urged his hearers/readers that Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

In the light of our meditation (whether to store our treasure on earth or in heaven), it is better to use our earthly treasures (wealth and other resources) for good reasons and godly purposes and, thus, store it up in heaven. God promises that He will take care of our needs (Philippians 4:19); He also assures His presence, protection, and provision for everyone who call upon His name, as God spoke through prophet Isaiah Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Apostle Paul stated that God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). For the Lord is near to everyone who calls upon His name, as it is mentioned: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Psalm 145:18; also refer to Deuteronomy 7:9; Romans 8:28; James 4:8; 1 John 5:14). Jesus assured His disciples that the heavenly Father knows what His children needs and He will provide for them (Matthew 6:25-34). This is evident from Jesus’ teaching, as He sent out the twelve to preach the Gospel, which is recorded in Matthew 10:1-20. Let us read and analyze and study the passage for our understanding:

• • Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him (10:1a)
  • Jesus gave them authority to drive out impure spirits (10:1b)
  • Jesus gave them authority to heal every disease and sickness (10:1c)
  • The names of Jesus’ twelve apostles (10:2-4)
  • Jesus sent them out with special instructions (10:5a)
  • Jesus instructed them not go among Gentiles (10:5b)
  • Jesus instructed them not to go to the town of the Samaritans (10:5c)
  • Jesus instructed them to go to the lost sheep of Israel (10:6)
  • Jesus instructed them to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God (10:7a)
  • Jesus instructed them to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has come near (10:7b)
  • Jesus gave them authority to heal the sick (10:8a)
  • Jesus gave them authority to raise the dead (10:8b)
  • Jesus gave them authority to cleanse those who have leprosy (10:8c)
  • Jesus gave them authority to drive out demons (10:8d)
  • Jesus commanded them that freely they have received the gifts from God for ministry and, thus, freely they should give them to the people who are in need (10:8e)
  • Jesus commanded them not to take any gold or silver or copper with them as they are sent out to various places for ministry (10:9)
  • Jesus commanded them not to take any bag with them for the journey (10:10a)
  • Jesus commanded them not to take any extra shirt for the journey (10:10b)
  • Jesus commanded them not to take any extra sandals for the journey as He sends them out for the ministry (10:10c)
  • Jesus commanded them not to take any extra staff for the journey as He sends them to carry out the ministry (10:10d)
  • Jesus promised to take care of their needs, as He said for the worker is worth his keep (10:10e)
  • Jesus commanded them whatever town or village they enter, search for some worthy person and stay at their house until they leave that place (10:11)
  • Jesus commanded them to give it their greeting as they enter the home (10:12)
  • Jesus informed them in advance that if the home accepts their greeting, their peace will rest on it (10:13a)
  • Jesus informed them in advance that if the home rejects their greeting, their peace will return to them (10:13b)
  • Jesus commanded them, if anyone will not welcome them or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them (10:14)
  • Jesus let His disciples know in advance that if anyone will not welcome them or listen to their words, God will judge them on the day of judgement (10:15)
  • Jesus told them that I am sending you out like sheep among wolves (10:16a)
  • Jesus told them as He sent them out, be as shrewd (clever) as snakes as you go the world to proclaim the gospel (10:16b)
  • Jesus said them as He send them out, be as innocent as doves as you go to the world to proclaim the gospel (10:16c)
  • Jesus specifically commanded the twelve to be on your guard (10:17a)
  • Jesus warned them in advance that they will be handed over to the local councils (10:17b)
  • Jesus warned them in advance that they will be flogged in the synagogues (10:17c)
  • Jesus warned them in advance that on Jesus’ account they will be brought before governors as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles (10:18a)
  • Jesus warned them in advance that on Jesus’ account they will be brought before kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles (10:18b)
  • Jesus encouraged them saying not to be terrified when they will be arrested (10:19a)
  • Jesus encouraged them saying not to worry about what to say or how to say it to defend themselves when they stand before the governors and kings and their officials (10:19b)
  • Jesus promised the twelve that the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak as they stand before the governors and kings and their officials (10:19c)
  • Jesus let them know that they will not be speaking when they stand before governors and kings and their officials but the Spirit of their Father in heaven would be speaking through them (10:20a)
  • Jesus’ promise assures them that God the Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will be with them always and speaking through them to governors and kings and their officials as they stand before them for trial (10:20b)

Dear friends in the Lord, in the light of our meditation, let us not store our treasure on earth where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but do our best to store our treasure in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. If we do so, God will take care of our every need. May the Lord God Almighty bless us all! Amen!