Lesson 6 Review: Laying Up Treasure in Heaven

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “‘For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’” (Mark 8:36, 37, NKJV).

The world’s best investment strategy, “ ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal’ ” (Matt. 6:19, 20, NKJV). One of the ways to invest in Heaven is by supporting God’s cause with our money, then our minds will be there (Matt. 6:21, NKJV), this investment brings a far greater reward than any reward you may get here on earth. The reward is eternal.

What is common between the time of Noah and the end-time?

The people of Noah’s time argued that a flood could never come based on a faulty understanding of reality, also, we sometimes think that God has delayed so much, and even worse is the thought that somehow this world is not reserved for fire (2 Peter 3:3-7).

How can we, then, prepare for the coming destruction?

We can prepare, like Noah, by doing what God asks of us in the meantime, even if, as with Noah, it means some radical life changes.

What major life-change did Abram make?

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And He went out, not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8, NKJV).

What is the message for us in Hebrews 11:8-13?

Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. By faith, the promises made to Abraham can be ours too “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29, NKJV). Like Abraham and Noah, we may have to make life-changing decisions in the cause of obeying God.

How did Abram react to Lot’s bad decision?

He did not blame Lot for choosing first and taken captive. He rather, went to save Lot from his problem. Abram also bargained with God to spare the righteous in the city were Lot lived in.

What lesson can we take from Lot’s story?

We are to be careful of the kind of decisions we make, especially when it’s short term in contrast to the big picture (Mark 8:36, 37).

What spiritual lessons can we take from Jacob’s story about God’s grace, even when we make wrong decisions?

We should trust God to fulfil His promises to us in His way and time, instead of depending on our efforts to bring those promises. However, as with Jacob, He was pardoned of his sin of supplanting and deceit, God’s Love and grace is sufficient for us all too. Despite our mistakes, God can still bless us, He blessed Jacob.

What life-changing decision did Moses make?

He did not consider the power and pleasures that could come from being called the son of the daughter of Pharaoh, he chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25, NKJV).

What can we draw from the life-changing decision of Moses?

We are to consider the bigger picture, Moses did not look at the earthly reward, he looked forward to a far more exceeding reward. Even so, we should look to God who has a far greater reward for us, a reward greater than any reward this earth can give us.

In Conclusion,

One of the ways we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven is when we invest in church and charity, acknowledging these aspects of God’s kingdom on earth, we invest in heaven. I pray that God grants us the grace to set our minds on heavenly things in Jesus’ name.