The Pilgrim Path---Matthew 6: 19 – 21

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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“YOUR TREASURE”

When I have conducted pre-marital counseling with young couples, I have often told them not to spend all their money on the wedding. My advice, “Save for luxury items---like milk, bread, and gasoline.” Oh my---what times we live in now! Seems COVID and supply-chain issues were just the warm-up. Putin’s Hitler-like escapades have set markets tumbling around the world. Russia’s ruble has fallen to an all-time low versus the dollar. The local grocery store was already a shock every time you visit. God Help us ALL!

Tears have filled my eyes watching Ukrainians cross border checkpoints at Poland. They carry all they can muster in a piece of luggage or backpack. I watched a migrant man caught on video somewhere in Moldova (not sure his nationality) on his knees, attempting to bathe from his waist up---with a gallon jug of water. Tragically---the world runs---and rests as it can along the way. Many fled Afghanistan (more could not leave). A sea of humanity fled Syria due to civil war---over a million. Sudan suffers yet…the Rohingya try to put their lives together in Bangladesh…”wars and rumors of war.”

All these matters are meant to make us evaluate our investments. Are we laying up treasures in Heaven? Are we giving of our time, talent, and material resources to advance the Kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ? Are we giving out of our abundance to benefit others in Jesus’ Holy Name? The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian Christians,

“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” First Corinthians 16: 2

The Holy Spirit is saying---“give in accord with the way God has blessed you.” That is the idea behind, “as he may prosper.” Think about that for a while. Let it sink in. Now remember---this is Missions Month at Providence Presbyterian Church. I want to encourage You to invest in Faith Promise Giving. You will “hear” more about it over the course of this month. You have also “seen” posting on this Facebook Page about how you could benefit Ukrainian Refugees through MTW---a worthwhile investment. We have also informed You in the Providence DIGEST of Eric Catellier’s endeavor with EMI and Ethnos360. All that to say this: Please do not FAIL to make investments that matter. All the ones I have mentioned--- PAY eternal dividends.

From Daniel M. Doriani: Because God is generous and full of grace, we must be generous (II Cor. 9: 8 ). The motivation is not duty or compulsion, but joy in God’s gifts. God gives liberally and provides for us daily. Our generosity keeps the cycle going. That does not mean that if we give money away, we will automatically receive yet more in return (no matter what certain advocates of the prosperity gospel say). But liberality is part of the blessed life. God makes us “rich in every way,” so that we “can be generous on every occasion” (II Cor. 9: 11). By our generosity, we lay up treasures in heaven. When we give our money to God’s causes, we show where our heart is.

Meanwhile---from the other side of the world:

President Zelensky of Ukraine on Sunday, February 27th: “Ukrainians have manifested the courage to defend their homeland and save Europe and its values from a Russian onslaught…This is not just Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the beginning of a war against Europe, against European structures, against democracy, against basic human rights, against a global order of law, rules, and peaceful coexistence.”

---At least 660,000 Ukrainians have fled their country since Putin (Russia’s tyrant) began his carnage…

---Moldova---former member of the USSR---Not a member of the European Union or NATO---so very afraid---They worry--- are THEY next--- on Putin’s list of carnage and takeover…

---The Ukrainian city of Kherson, on the Baltic Sea, surrounded by invading Russian forces early Wednesday…

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46: 1

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason