Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following message, “Maturing Multitasking: Seeking Kingdom Righteousness, While Storing Treasures,” focusing our attention upon the need to serve the interests and purposes of the Kingdom of God.
In recent months, the annual dilemma of balancing one’s life, given the plethora of choices that cross one’s path, has presented itself to me once again. The period to be productive in the field of growth returns during the planting season. The incessant yearning to make one’s existence meaningful, and useful in the work of God’s Kingdom, naturally generates some tension. The world, the flesh, and the Devil are each worthy opponents—opponents that tug on our desire to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness above all other options.
While pondering these aspects of the cyclical nature of living, compounded by some personal decisions that have been many months in the making, thoughts about Kingdom-seeking compared to treasure-storing came into focus. A frequently read passage from the Gospels came to my mind, as Yeshua articulates some foundational principles for establishing a life that is correctly balanced and useful for God’s purposes. Consider who or what you are serving, as you contemplate where you are storing your treasures and what you are seeking after:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:20-34, NASU).
For years in my spiritual journey, aspects of this passage have had a profound impact on my decision making. Frequently, whenever I look or even glance at a clock that indicates that it is 6:33—whether AM or PM—my mind instantly contemplates seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, knowing that all things will inevitably be added. At times, my active mind is redirected to muses about pursuing the Kingdom for His purposes. Sometimes in the course of various thoughts about work, provision, or the cares of the world that inevitably sneak into the mind, the lure of pursuing and storing other treasures creeps into my thought patterns. In a free enterprise world, with all of the opportunities available for earning and/or accumulating wealth, the temptations are legion.
Back in 1992, I made a written commitment to the Lord to become a bond-servant, relinquishing my rights to seek my own will, choosing instead to allow Him to do anything He desired through me by my willingness to serve Him. When you make a written contract with your Creator, and then carry it in your wallet for over sixteen years, there are times that you carefully pull it out and re-read it in order to verify exactly what it is you have committed to Him. Of course, in return I did not receive a tablet etched in stone by the finger of God, but I have had the Holy Writ as His testimony to me that He will keep His promises. Inevitably, Matthew 6:33 has come to mind, and—for the past sixteen years, my household has had all of its needs met! The Lord has been true to His promises, and I can testify to it in any number of miraculous ways.
Additionally, looking back on my life of faith, I have been able to observe that the Holy One has ordered my life in such a way that I can discern distinct seven year patterns or seasons, where He has worked and accomplished things. While I know that this is not necessarily applicable to everyone, I find it very interesting as I continue to seek after Him. On May 28, 1993 in my 42nd year, I was reacquainted with Margaret. A little over a year later we were married and embarked upon our journey together. Seven years to the day, May 28, 2000 in my 49th year, we were relocated as a family to Kissimmee, Florida after wandering from three locations in: Texas, to Honduras, and back to Oklahoma. Then, seven years later to the day, on May 28, 2007 in my 56th year, I noted on the previous day while concluding our Shavuot celebration in Orlando, that we were beginning another seven year pattern for our lives together. For these periods of time, at least, I had just finished an eighth set of “sevens” for my life. In the Spirit, I knew something was happening, but could not necessarily define just what it was the Father was going to do. This is where patiently waiting as you seek Him applies, knowing that He not only knows what is best for your life, but that He has a great plan and a purpose for you!
At this point, some of you might be asking, “What does all of this have to do with storing treasures and seeking the Kingdom?” This is certainly a good question. All I can say is that for the fourteen years of my marriage to Margaret, our household has been storing treasure up in celestial vaults, which by faith we believe will ultimately be the best investment any of us could make! We know from our Messiah Yeshua that the eternal rewards accrued by the investments of our time, talents, and resources are not at all threatened by Earthly elements. This comforting thought allows us to innately know that we are serving the Lord, and that various human temptations will not intrude into our lives. It is a blessing to know that we have been called into His service, and that we have faithfully followed His lead to learn how to live by faith. In fact, I personally believe that the example that Margaret and I have given to our children of living by faith, is perhaps one of the most important attributes that we can model for them. This is especially true in light of their great talents and abilities that the Lord has given them, which could be used for other things!
Consequently, questions arise such as: How do you balance seeking God’s Kingdom and storing up treasures, given all of the complexities of life? What do you do when you have great natural talent, a good work ethic, and certain wants and desires that supersede your needs? How do you avoid focusing on treasure-seeking on Earth, rather than pursuing God and His righteousness, when you have the inherent ability to generate significant revenues? Clearly, the need to seek and maintain balance in your walk with the Messiah is critical for answering each of these questions.
Yeshua, in a parabolic manner, speaks to the contrast between God’s Kingdom and treasure. Note that He also contrasts real estate investors and merchants with pearls of great value, along with fishermen gathering fish. All of these examples require people to be involved in aspects of commerce:
“‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes.’ And Yeshua said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.’ When Yeshua had finished these parables, He departed from there” (Matthew 13:44-53, NASU).
Yeshua spoke in parables, so that only those who were serious and had the spiritual ears to hear could understand. Recall these words to His Disciples:
“And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ Yeshua answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, “YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM” [Isaiah 6:9-10]. But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear’” (Matthew 13:10-16, NASU).
Some people will recognize the eternal value in God’s Kingdom, and will sell all in order to acquire more understanding, or make huge sacrifices in order to gain more knowledge. Many will proclaim the magnanimous importance of God’s Kingdom by “casting the net,” realizing that some will listen and some will not. Yeshua gives us a vivid picture of what the Kingdom of God is all about, and just how it compares to the treasures of this world. When comparing Earthly goods to the eternal goods provided by God’s Kingdom—why would one allow temporal things to take priority over eternal things? There is an intrinsic foolishness of pursuing and gaining the treasures of this world, instead of denying yourself and following the Messiah. As we should each be reminded,
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34-38, NASU).
This does not necessarily mean that everyone should sell all of their possessions to the point of being destitute. But, being a true follower of the Messiah does require sacrifice, and requires that a person use his or her resources in a manner that can be useful for the work of God. Consider the words Yeshua issues to the rich young ruler, and the difficulties that he had when presented with what it takes to enter into God’s Kingdom:
“And someone came to Him and said, ‘Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?’ And He said to him, ‘Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ Then he said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ And Yeshua said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?’ Yeshua said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. And Yeshua said to His disciples, ‘Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ And looking at them Yeshua said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Then Peter said to Him, ‘Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?’ And Yeshua said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life’” (Matthew 19:16-30, NASU).
As you can read in this specific case, the young man with many treasures was stumbling over just what he was going to serve, and what it would take for him to go beyond just some kind of rote obedience to the Torah. Yeshua knew this, and reminded His Disciples that the entrapments of riches can become burdensome without some kind of Divine intervention. Certainly, we all know people who have been blessed with temporal treasures who are good stewards of their resources, and have been used mightily by God to finance the work of His Kingdom. In those cases, financial blessings have not impaired the thrust of Matthew 6:33—“seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” While seeking God’s righteousness is the most important when one has a proper relationship with Him, He will often give people responsibilities and resources concurrent with their level of spiritual maturity.
This is where a need to be balanced in your walk of faith is critical. Remember that God’s righteousness is given to us by faithfully believing that Yeshua paid the incurred debt for our sin with His precious blood, and is evidenced by us living properly according to His high and holy standard. This can be accomplished via a consistent study of Scripture, including: the Torah, Prophets, Writings, and Messianic Scriptures—as one will become more conscious of God and allow His Word to mold your character. It is only through a disciplined routine of study, prayer, meditation, and contemplation of the things of God that our hearts and minds will become more like Yeshua the Messiah. As we grow in faith and properly encounter the trials of life, we will be steadily conformed to the image of the Messiah (Romans 8).
Ultimately, as you can understand the more complex aspects of God’s Kingdom, you should be able to handle the responsibilities of stewardship. This may include being entrusted with the treasures of this world, to use properly for His work. But if you are fortunate enough to be given such wealth, recognize that your eternal security rests in your relationship with the Lord and not the materials He gives you to use.
I ask you these final questions as I hope to have provoked you to consider not only what you are seeking, but how you are handling your Earthly treasures:
- Are you truly seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?
- Do the cares of this world encumber you with anxious thoughts that you know you should not have?
- Where is your security? Who is your investment advisor?
- Are you diversified with plenty of resources invested in your Heavenly accounts?
- Why not make the Holy Spirit your Counselor, as the Spirit is supposed to lead you in all things (John 14)?
Only you know where you are currently storing your treasures, and whether or not you are actually seeking after the Holy One of Israel and His righteousness. My prayer is that you will be blessed in all that you do. Above all, my friends, I hope that you will be able to maximize your life and be all that you were created to be: sons and daughters of the living God! When He entrusts us with great responsibilities, we get to demonstrate that we are mature men and women who are able to multitask—balancing our pursuit of Him by being able to live real lives in today’s world! By doing this properly, and not being like the rich ruler who was asked to give up His possessions, we show ourselves to be followers of God who are not encumbered by the treasures of man, but can use those treasures to His glory. To Him be everything—Hallelujah!
