Compare Job 27:18 with Matthew 6:19-20 on storing treasures. Snapshots of the Two Passages “He builds his house like a moth, like a hut that a watchman makes.” “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 destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” --- What Job Saw: The Spider-Web Mansion - Job pictures the wicked man’s wealth as a flimsy shelter: - “like a moth”—easily brushed away - “like a hut that a watchman makes”—temporary, thrown together for a single night - The house looks solid for a moment, yet collapses at the first real test (Job 27:19-20). - Literal takeaway: earthly prosperity, no matter how impressive, cannot provide lasting security. --- What Jesus Taught: The Secure Vault of Heaven - Jesus echoes Job’s imagery of moth-eaten possessions and adds “rust” and “thieves.” - Command is two-fold: - Stop stockpiling here, where loss is guaranteed. - Start stockpiling in heaven, where loss is impossible. - The verb tense (“store up for yourselves”) is imperatival and ongoing—an everyday directive, not a one-time act. --- Shared Message: Earthly Wealth Is Always at Risk - Houses, clothing, coinage—all decay (Ecclesiastes 5:13-15). - Disaster, disease, or death can strip it away overnight (Proverbs 23:4-5). - God’s assessment: “Their prosperity shall not endure” (Job 20:21). --- Divergent Outcomes " Perspective " Source " Result " "-------------"--------"--------" " Wicked man trusts possessions " Job 27 " Home collapses; terror overtakes him " " Disciple invests in heaven " Matthew 6 " Treasure endures; heart anchored above " --- Implications for Daily Living - Where treasure rests, heart follows (Matthew 6:21). - Accumulating without kingdom purpose reveals misplaced trust (Luke 12:15-21). - Contentment with godliness is “great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6-10). --- Storing Treasure in Heaven: Practical Steps - Give generously to the poor and to gospel work (Proverbs 19:17; Philippians 4:17). - Invest time and talent in serving the body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10). - Cultivate eternal relationships—discipleship, evangelism, encouragement (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). - Hold possessions loosely, remembering we are stewards, not owners (Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 4:2). --- Living the Contrast - Job exposes the weakness of wealth; Jesus offers the alternative of heavenly deposit. - One shelter blows away; the other stands forever (2 Corinthians 5:1). - Choose the bank of heaven—dividends last into eternity. |
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