Storing Up Your Treasures in Heaven 

The world promises to bring about trials and troubles. Things you’d never expect to tempt and confuse you will come forward and derail your life. When COVID-19 hit the global stage, so much of our world collapsed. The closure of businesses meant many lost their jobs, and I was not immune.

It’s easy to fall into your comfort zone and lose track of who you are in Christ. That comfort comes from the positions we hold in the workplace or community, the financial stability we’ve put together, or, in some cases, the name or fame we have built ourselves.

Matthew 6:19-21 says: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When I received the call that changed my life — I had lost my job — my natural response was to worry. How would I provide for my family? Would I be able to find a different job? How would life look different now that I’d be at home? The change looked like a huge roadblock on my path.

But after I was reminded to fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2), that change turned out to be a much smaller bump in the road than I had anticipated.

God is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us. I saw Him release me from the cycle of poverty that I never thought I would be free from. I have had the privilege of watching the many promises He made to me as a kid come true. I realize the enemy wants to steal my joy and leave me sad, stressed and more likely to complain. But the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). And it can be yours, too!

As long as we stand on the solid rock that is Christ Jesus, no storm will take us out. God is on the throne and in control; the victory belongs to Jesus. This too shall pass.

Compassion International is proud to provide readers with real stories about how their ministry has lifted children out of poverty and into the hands of their Lord. Will you consider opening your heart to serve a child in poverty like this author, Owen? Sponsor a child and show God’s love to him or her .