So how should we live as members of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Jesus began his great sermon on the mount with these words, ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 (NIV) and then he went on for three chapters teaching us what life in the Kingdom of God means. You could spend a lifetime just studying that sermon!
But for now, let's take a look at one verse that finds itself right in the center of the sermon.
"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." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
That is the heart of it, right there. What do we live for every day? What do we do with our time, talents and treasures?
I have to admit, I am challenged by these words even as I write them here. We are so programmed by the kingdom of this world to get all we can. To live for ourselves, go get our "me time". Yet Jesus teaches that this is how we lose our life, not keep it as the world promises.
Jesus ended his sermon with these words, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
I would encourage you to read Matthew 5-7, prayerfully. Let's ask the Lord how our lives measure up to life in his Kingdom.
