Our Treasures are in Heaven
Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” Psalms 73:6-11
When we marvel at the many ways those who are living for themselves are successful (by the world’s standards), we can become envious. When we focus on their abundance, it can cause us to stumble because we become greedy desiring what others have. We can become discouraged when we forget the fortunes of the wicked are fleeting and will disappear. Their reward can be seen because it is an earthly reward. Jesus said, “‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal’” (Matthew 6:19). When we watch the wicked store up treasures on earth, the thoughts of our mind can become clouded because we equate their treasures with rewards. The Lord does not give as the world gives. When we determine their wickedness is going unchecked and instead is yielding high rewards, it can lead us to discontentment in our hearts and cause us to become upset.
Let us be careful to remember what looks like fortune and freedom is actually a cloak of wickedness, and their successes are fleeting and temporary. They are actually a self-made mantle weaved through iniquity. While they appear to prosper, the evils they do will result in perishing. As we look at their response to their own prosperity, we notice their hearts become hardened. Verse 6 tells us, “Therefore, pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.” When pride and violence become the covering, what follows is revealed in the next verses: callous hearts, limitless evil conceits in their minds, scoffing, speaking with malice, threatening oppression, and blaspheming God. These are sinful. We are to live differently. Instead of callous hearts, we are called to trust in the Lord will all our heart (Proverbs 3:5). Instead of evil conceits in our minds, we are called to have a steadfast mind (Isaiah 26:3). If we have malice in our heart, the Lord will not hear us (Psalm 66:18). God has called us to greater things. The wicked are storing up treasure for today. Treasures that are seen and are for themselves and will one day be destroyed. Our treasure will last forever and will bring glory and honor, not to ourselves, but to God. Isn’t that what we desire? That our treasures will be eternal and will be the result of a life lived in devotion to God? Jesus said, “‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me’” (Matthew 19:21).
It is hard for us to watch those living outside of faith in God stacking up trophies, but remember, those trophies are temporal and will pass away. “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
-Jennifer
