Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Temperance requires that you say no to the things of this world so that you can focus your time, talents, and treasures upon the things of God. In this passage, we see Christ commanding us that we are not to lay up treasures for ourselves here on this earth. If we are focused upon the things of the world, then our attention will be distracted from listening to God and doing what HE desires us to do.

If your focus is upon money, you will probably miss the opportunity that God has for you in giving to some special needs. If your focus is upon receiving the praises of men because of some special talent that you have, then you will miss the opportunity that God has for you to use your talents to draw others closer to HIM. If your focus is upon your time and how you can use it to enjoy life, then you will miss the opportunity that God has for you to serve HIM today.

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If your treasure is upon the things of this world, then your heart will never be able to be given fully to God. It is one thing to claim to be a Christian, it is another thing all together to live as a Christian. If you desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord, then you must follow the example of Christ. Christ did not live on this earth to see what earthly treasures HE could amass. Instead, Christ was here to do the will of God. Christ focused upon living HIS life so that HIS Father would receive the glory.

The things of the world will try to grab your attention so that you do not live your life in a manner that is pleasing to God. Scripture tells us the story of Naaman who had leprosy. Naaman ended up going to Elijah and God used Elijah to heal Naaman. Naaman had great wealth and he attempted to use it to give to Elijah but Elijah refused. Elijah’s servant Gehazi saw the great wealth that could have been theirs so he ran after Naaman and made up a story about how a couple prophets had just showed up and that Elijah requested some clothes and money for them. Upon his return, Elijah condemned Gehazi and the leprosy of Naaman was transferred to Gehazi.

Gehazi saw the treasures of this earth and he desired to accumulate them for himself. Elijah understood that God desired Naaman to not think that one could purchase the favor of God. The greed of Gehazi ended up damaging the testimony of the power of God.

It is so easy to allow ourselves to become so focused upon the things of this world that we lose sight of the things of God. Zacchaeus was a man who was entangled by the things of this world. Once Zacchaeus saw and realized who God was, he had no problem giving up his earthly treasures to ensure that his relationship with God was right.

As long as we allow the treasures of this world to consume us, then we will never be able to live for God as we ought. The things of this world will drain us of our time, talent, and treasures and our focus will not be where God desires it. We need to yield up our right to keep up with the Jones. We need to stop worrying about the world thinks of us and start worrying about what God thinks of us.

It is time that you change your focus. Take your focus off of yourself and what you can obtain for yourself here on this earth. Focus upon God and say no to the temptations that this world has to offer. You will find new rewards for your life by the help of God.

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

You look around you and you see great wickedness being committed. The world does that which seemeth right in its own eyes and rather than be ashamed of its wickedness, it flaunts its wickedness so that all can see.

As long as there is no fear of the Lord, wickedness will prevail. When people see that the Lord is real and that HE will hold them accountable for every word, action, and thought, it has a way of changing one’s behavior. However, when one does not fully understand the power of God, they are more likely to yield to temptation and do that which seemeth right in their own eyes.

Solomon once wrote that there is nothing new under the sun. While we sit here today and we see such great wickedness, we must understand that this is not new or unusual. Paul also saw great wickedness during his days. Today we see parents killing their children in the name of choice; during the time of Paul, parents killed their children to make the gods pleased with them.

There is nothing new under the sun; just as Paul had to warn the New Testament church about living in a wicked society, so also, the warnings of Paul are just as appropriate today. In this passage, Paul instructs us that we are to walk circumspectly and to redeem the time. According to Thayers Greek definitions, the Greek word transcribed as circumspectly means exactly, accurately, diligently. Webster 1828 dictionary defines circumspectly as cautiously, with watchfulness every way, with attention to guard against surprise or danger.

Paul is warning us to be wise individuals and not fools when it comes to living in a wicked world. You need to be careful what you do to ensure that your actions will be pleasing to God. We live in a day and time where entertainment is worshiped. People spend great portions of their day watching television, playing games, and listening to their music. While some of these items are outright wicked, even with the stuff that is not wicked one still needs to be careful to ensure that they are not wasting time that God would have them spend elsewhere.

The things of this world can quickly suck your time. Very quickly you will find that you no longer have time to read the Bible because you spent 30 minutes reading the news on your favorite website. No longer do you have the time to pray because you spent 2 hours watching your favorite television show. No longer do you have the time to memorize scripture because you spent the time in your car listening to music.

We all have only 24 hours each day. One day we will stand before God and we will be held accountable for how we spent that time. We live in a day where there are a lot of options of what we do with our time. We must be careful in guarding our time so that we do not let the things of this world take away our time and prevent us from doing that which is right in the eyes of God.

By diligently attending to the things of God, our relationship with God will grow. As a result of a closer relationship with God, God will give us the fruit of the Spirit which includes temperance which gives us the strength to say no to the things of the world and yes to the things of God. The more we allow God to abide in us, the more we understand HIS will for our life and the easier it will be for us to see the fulfillment of the desires of our heart. You may not have the desires of your heart because you are not redeeming the time that God has given you properly.

Genesis 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

The secret of Joseph’s success is the fact that he did not take credit for the talents that God had given him. Joseph understood that it was God who gave him the ability to interpret dreams and Joseph made sure that Pharaoh’s attention was focused upon God.

Joseph had just been given a complement by Pharaoh that he understood Joseph could interpret dreams. Most of us would have naturally responded by saying thank you and that would have been it. However, Joseph understood that he had just been given a complement for something that he could not control. Joseph understood that it was God who had blessed him and that if he took credit for something God did through him, than he would be doing a great injustice.

It is God who gives us time, talents, and treasures. Christ taught us in multiple parables that the kingdom of heaven is like a master who gives money to his servants. The master does return and takes an account of what his servants did with the money that he had entrusted them with. Christ wanted us to understand that the things that God has given to us are not to be hoarded for our own personal purposes. If we hoard the things that God gives to us, God will be very disappointed with us and will punish us for our lack of diligence.

Pharaoh did not have the fear of the Lord in his life. If Joseph had not mentioned God, Pharaoh probably would not have cared. Nonetheless, because of Joseph’s willingness to put God first in his life, Joseph was a testimony for God that day. Joseph was willing to put God first even though God had allowed him to spend the last 13 years as either a prisoner or as a slave. Things had been tough, but this did not stop Joseph from giving God the credit for the talents that God had given unto him.

You have certain talents and abilities that God has given unto you. If you keep taking credit for the things that God has given to you, you are no different than the servant who went and buried the money in the ground. Christ called that servant unwise. Instead, you should desire to be the servant who took five bags of money and turned them into five additional bags of money. We need to learn how to take the talents that God has given to us and use those talents for the maximum glory of God.

If you do not start by giving God the glory anytime someone complements you for a talent that HE has given unto you, you are on the wrong path. If others are not drawn unto God, they will continue to live their life as if there is no God. However, when you are constantly reminding them that you serve a living God and that it is HE who has enabled you, then God can start working in their lives to reveal to them their need for a closer walk with HIM.

The sin nature of man naturally desires to take credit for the things that God should receive the glory for. We must exercise self-control not to take credit for that which belongs to God. By adding temperance to our life, we will restrain ourselves from focusing upon ourselves and instead focusing the attention of others upon the ONE whom deserves the glory.

Joseph was wise and was used by God. If Joseph had not been faithful in giving glory to God, one has to wonder just how much God would have used him. However, we see how God used Joseph and we know that Joseph refused to take the glory for what God was doing through him.

Acts 20:35 I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

What is your attitude? Are you constantly looking to see what you can get from others or do you have a mindset of what you can give to meet the needs of others. God has given you time, talent, and treasure. The choice is yours how you spend your time, talent, and treasure. You can spend it upon yourself, or you can spend it upon others.

Christ taught us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When your focus is upon the things of God, it is easier to give up your time, talent, and treasure to others so that God may be magnified through you. However, when your focus is upon the things of this world, all of a sudden, your focus is on how you can use your time, talent, and treasure to benefit yourself and to obtain possessions from this world.

Paul understood that he was supposed to be gathering spiritual treasures while upon this earth. Paul could have had a focus upon how much money was in his pocket, how many disciples followed him, how many people he baptized, or how many churches that he had started. However, this was not the focus of Paul; instead, Paul had a focus upon fulfilling the perfect will of God. When Paul saw someone who had a need, he remembered the words of Christ and he saw how God might use him to meet that need.

Paul was not focused upon numbers; he was focused upon doing the perfect will of God. He understood the principle of laying up treasures in heaven while he was here on this earth. Paul was not focused upon the things of this world and what he might obtain. Because he kept his focus upon the things of God, he was able to have a powerful ministry that affected the lives of millions.

Where is your focused here on this earth? Are you focused upon the things that this world has to offer you and how you might be able to obtain more of them? Or are you focused upon the things of this world and how God can use your worldly possessions to draw the attention of those around you to the power of God?

How do you spend your time? Are you looking for people who have needs so that you can reach out to them to them and minister to them with your time? How about the talents that God has given to you? Are you looking for ways that you can use your talents to minister unto the people of God? How about your treasures? Are you looking for ways that you can use your earthly treasure to give to those who have needs or to those who are actively involved in the work of God?

Your focus cannot be upon the things of this world. Every day you must make a decision that you are going to pursue the things of God. This means that you need to allow God to change your attitude and your focus. This means that you must demonstrate self-control by saying no to the things of this world and yes to the things of God.

By diligently adding temperance to your life, you are taking the steps necessary to change your focus from the things of this world to the things of God. By adding temperance to your life, you change your focus from yourself to doing the perfect will of God. By adding temperance to your life you change your focus from what you can obtain to what you can give.

Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtaineth favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

One of the best illustrations in the Bible for this passage can be found in the story of Cain and Abel. Cain was a farmer and he brought the fruit of the ground as an offering unto the Lord. Abel was a shepherd and he brought a lamb. Both men brought an offering unto the Lord from their income. There is nothing in scripture that indicates that either man brought the offering in order to keep up with their brother. They each willingly brought an offering unto the Lord. Nonetheless, God accepted the offering of Abel and rejected the offering of Cain.

Some Bible scholars have said that the reason God rejected the sacrifice of Cain was because it was not a lamb. God had used a lamb to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve and thus Cain should have known that God would only want a lamb as a sacrifice. The problem with this theory is that scripture does not say Cain and Abel were making a sacrifice for their sins, it only says that they were making an offering unto the Lord.

An offering is never required. When you bring an offering unto the Lord, you are doing so because you are thanking God for the abundance that HE has given you. God had blessed Cain by the fruit of the ground and thus if he was bringing an offering unto the Lord, it was only proper that he bring the fruit of the ground.

So why did God reject the offering of Cain and accept the offering of Abel? God asked Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:6-7). God does not tell us what Cain had done wrong, but Cain had done something wrong and thus God used his offering to show Cain that he needed to get right with God.

The lesson of Cain is simple, it does not matter how much time, talent, or treasure you give to God, if your heart is not right, God will not be pleased. When Saul was instructed of God to utterly destroy the Amalek, Saul only partially obeyed; he did not kill the best of the sheep and the best of the oxen. When Samuel confronted Saul, his excuse for disobeying was that the people were saving these animals for sacrifices and offerings unto the Lord. Samuel replied Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).

God is more concerned about your heart than HE is about all the wonderful gifts that you give to HIM. You may give to HIM all the money in the world to HIM, but if HE does not have your heart, your offering will be rejected. God does not need wealth, HE created man in HIS own image so that HE might have fellowship. The sin of Adam and Eve destroyed that fellowship.

It takes knowledge of the ways of God to understand that God looks at the heart and not the offerings. If you desire to love the Lord with all your heart, then you must show that love in the way God desires to receive it, not in the way you want to give it. The more you understand the ways of God, the easier it will be to please HIM.

Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

Jesus commanded us, Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38).

It is natural for a man to desire to hoard the money that he has obtained. Whether he is saving for retirement or some large purchase, man often measures his worth based upon his bank account. However, that is not the focus that God desires you to have. Instead, God desires that you lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20).

Is your desire set towards the things above or is it set upon the things of this world? Job had to answer that question when he lost his wealth, his health, and his family. Job did not curse God even though he had lost everything that he had. After Job had passed the test, God blessed him once again. Job had proven to God and Satan that his relationship with God was the most important thing.

Abraham also had to face the question as to what was the most important thing in his life. Abraham had been given a son in his old age. Isaac was a gift from God. However, God asked Abraham to give Isaac back to HIM. Abraham obeyed God and God spared the life of Isaac.

Do you understand that everything you have belongs to God? Do you understand that all God has to do is say the word and you will have nothing? Do you understand that God does not want you placing your hope in the things of this world but desires that your affections be upon the things of God?

Why is it that Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to get through an eye of a needle then it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God? The reason is that the rich man has set his affections upon his wealth. He is used to seeing HIS wealth take care of his needs and as such, he is not ready to hear the still small voice of God. When you have a need, you are required to turn to God and humble yourself and learn to hear HIS voice. The greater the need, the more you understand your need for God. If you do not have a need, then it is less likely that you will find a need for God.

If God has given you wealth, you need to determine how God desires you to spend that wealth. Do not be afraid of outgiving God; God gave you the wealth to begin with, HE can give it to you again if your focus is upon the things of God and how you can use your treasures here on earth to invest in heavenly treasures. Watch how God blesses you as you remain faithful in hearing God and investing in heavenly treasures.

The world does not understand the concept of give and it shall be given unto you. However, as a Christian, the more you study the ways of God, the more you will understand that God desires for you to give HIM the first fruits of your time, talent, and treasure. Unless you take the time to add knowledge of the ways of God, you will never understand the way God desires you to go and how you are to live your life.

Psalms 110:2  The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

It was Moses’ life purpose to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promise Land. Moses once tried to lead in his own strength when he killed the Egyptian. However, this was not God timing nor was it HIS way. When it was God’s timing for Moses to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt, Moses carried the rod of God.

When Moses stepped forth in God’s power and in HIS timing, the fear of the Lord fell upon the Egyptians. While Pharaoh may not have feared the Lord, The Egyptians knew that the Lord was with Moses and they did not appreciate the judgment that they were receiving because of the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart.

Moses came unto Pharaoh in the strength of the Lord. Using the rod that God had blessed, Moses preformed many miracles so that God would be glorified. It did not matter what Pharaoh tried to do, God always demonstrated a greater power through HIS servant Moses.

When you yield to God your time, talent, and treasures, you will see what great things God can do through you. God created you for a special purpose; HE has given you the skills to do great things for HIM. You must first learn to yield your life to HIS purpose and to do HIS will HIS way.

God desires to work through you so that you can fulfill HIS purpose in your life. God needs you to trust in HIM and follow HIS direction for you. As you learn to trust in the Lord, HE will open your eyes and will show you many great and mighty things. However, before you go, you must first ensure that you are sent of God. Isaiah heard the burden of God and Isaiah volunteered to follow God’s direction.

Doing God’s work in God’s timing will result in God receiving the glory. When Moses tried to lead in his own power and in his own timing, he ended up fleeing for his life and losing all of his power and influence. When Moses led in the power of God, not only did Moses see God work through HIM, but also, things actually got done.

What is God’s purpose for your life? What has God revealed to you? Examine your talents to see how you might use them for the glory of God. What trials have you faced in your life that might be a clue as to whom God desires you to minister unto? As you allow yourself to focus upon God and HIS purposes, HE will open doors in your life that will enable you to do great things for HIM even though there are those around you who do not fear HIM.

Your talents are not for yourself to consume upon your own lusts and desires. God gave you your talents for the purpose of fulfilling your purpose in life. You must change your mindset. You must stop looking at your talents as things to use for your own glory but instead look for ways that you can use your talents for the glory of God. As you fill your mind with virtue and contemplate how you can live your life for the glory of God, you will find true fulfillment for your life. You cannot be fulfilled if you are not doing that which God has created you to do.

Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

There is no such thing as a self made man. Apart from God you can do nothing. It is God who has given you your talents that you can use to do great things for HIM. It is God who has given you the treasures that you have; apart from the hand of God, you would have nothing. It is God who has given you time on this earth; HE knows the number of your days. It does not matter what you do, you must be careful that you do not allow pride to rise up in your life and take credit for the things that you have done.

God created you and thus you are HIS. You have the choice to be a slave to sin or a servant of God. Regardless of how you choose, it is God who permits both good and evil things to occur in your life. It is God who has created you unique. You can pretend all you want that it is because of you that good things have occurred in your life but you would be foolish in taking credit for the things that God has done.

You must take the time to understand that the Lord is God. You must study God; you must become a student. The more you know of God, the more you will realize that God is love and that apart from HIM you would be nothing. You will never learn of God if all you ever do is beg God for things that you need. Instead, if you desire to know that the Lord is God, you will have to meditate upon HIS word the Bible. If you desire to know that the Lord is God, you will have to go to the Lord in prayer and spend time covering all the elements of the Lord’s Prayer, not just asking God for your daily bread.

David understood that the Lord was God when he stepped out onto the battlefield to face Goliath. David saw Goliath mocking God and realized that greater was HE that was in him then he that was of this world. David did not have the skills necessary to wield Saul’s armor, but David knew that God had given him the ability to use a rock and a sling. David took the talents that God had given him and he used those talents so that God would receive the glory.

Moses had a close relationship with God. God told Moses that he was supposed to speak to the rock and it would bring forth water for the people. Moses had once obeyed God and had brought water out of the rock by striking it. Moses did not obey God this second time and speak to the rock but instead he attempted to take matters into his own hands and he struck the rock twice and brought water out of the rock. Moses did a great thing, but God was not glorified and as a result.

If you want to learn the subject of math, you must spend the time learning the subject, take the time to practice the problems, and then be prepared for the test that proves your knowledge of the subject. The same is true if you desire to know God. You must take the time to fill your mind with the ways of God. Allow God to bring circumstances into your life where you will have to trust HIM and allow HIM to prove to you and those around you that HE is God. You must understand that you will face a trial of your faith. However, the trial of your faith worketh patience and “let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4). If you desire to know who God is, take the time to add virtue to your life.

Psalms 78:8  And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

Where is your heart? Are you totally committed to God? Have you made a commitment to follow God with all your heart?

God did many wonderful works for the nation of Israel as HE led them from Egypt to the Promise Land. God commanded the nation of Israel to teach these testimonies to their children so that they might know the power of God. As parents teach their children the powerful works of God, they will not only increase the faith of their children but they will also increase their own faith.

Solomon taught us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6). Because children have not had their faith tainted by the scorners of the world, they have the ability to be strong in faith. If you take the time to encourage the faith of a child, that child can see God do many wonderful things because they have no doubt. Teaching a child about God’s faithfulness will encourage that child to step out in faith on their own. Because the child steps out in faith at an earlier age and sees the power of God firsthand in their lives, they are less likely to depart from the ways of God and they are less likely to be a stubborn and rebellious individual.

The generation of the nation of Israel that had been raised in Egypt had become so consumed by the things of Egypt that even though they saw the power of God, they were still rebellious. However, the generation that had spent less than 20 years of their lives in Egypt was permitted to inherit the Promised Land. This second generation saw the mighty works of God at a younger age and thus they were able to trust in the power of God. Because they saw God working in their lives on a daily bases, they understood God as real and powerful.

You must teach the testimonies of God’s power to the next generation. Failing to do so will result in another generation that simply moves on with life giving God only a token of their time, talent, and treasure. God desires to do great things. In order for God to do great things, HE needs a generation who is willing to trust HIM. A generation who is constantly tempting God may see God do many powerful things but they will not receive the blessings that the generation that is totally committed to God will receive.

God has established a testimony of faith in your life. It is your job to share that testimony with others so that those around you are encouraged to grow in their faith. God is able to do great things through you if you will but trust HIM. Is your life similar to that of the nation of Israel? You have seen God do many wonderful things in your life but because of your realistic approach to life, God would call you a stubborn individual.

God desires that you set your heart aright. You must change your heart to be committed to God. As you fill your mind with the good report of what God has done through you, you will add to your faith virtue. You cannot afford to be considered a stubborn and rebellious individual, instead, you must learn to fill your life with the things of God so that God might be glorified through you. Teach others the testimonies of God.

Psalms 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

There is only One who ought to be feared and that is the Lord your God. God desires to receive your gift. One gift that you can give to God is when you make a vow unto God that you fulfill your promise by doing that which you have promised God you would do.

This Psalm does not say, if you make a vow, make sure you pay it. Scripture is full of verses that command you to fulfill your vows to God. This passage shows you the importance of not only fulfilling your promise to God, but also the importance of making a promise to God. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills; HE does not need your time, talent, and treasures. Nonetheless, if you fear God, you understand HIS’ goodness in your life and you understand the importance of serving HIM with all your heart, you will be willing to make a promise to Him whereby you promise to give HIM some of your time, talent, or treasure.

God is the only One who deserves to be feared. If you fear God, your life should be filled with looking for ways that you could bring glory to the One whom you fear. Making promises to God to serve HIM the rest of your life should not be reserved only for those who think that they are about to die. Instead, you too should be looking for specific things that God is leading you to do and making promises that if HE provides for you, you will follow HIM faithfully.

You need to be very careful what you vow to God because God demands that you fulfill your vows. When you make a promise, you must understand that God heard every word of your vow and that you are not obligated to fulfill your vow. Do not make a vow if you are not going to pay it.

Solomon did not need to bring 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord. However, Solomon loved the Lord HIS God and it was his desire to bring a gift to God that would be pleasing to HIM. When God judged David for numbering the people, God sent a pestilence upon Israel. God spared Jerusalem and David desired to make a burnt sacrifice unto God. Araunah the Jebusite was willing to give to David the things that David needed to make this burnt sacrifice but David was not going to make an offering to God that did not result in personal sacrifice.

Remember the story of the widow and her two mites. Jesus said that because she gave all that she had, she gave more than those who had given out of their abundance. The purpose of your promise to God, the purpose of your gift to God should be something that demonstrates to God that you fear HIM; that you understand who HE is.

You are not here on this earth to simply pass the time away. You are here on this earth to bring glory to your maker. God desires to show HIMSELF strong in your life. You need to be willing to give to God your time, talent, and treasure. Put the Lord first in your life by filling your mind with the things of God. As you fill your life with God’s virtue, allow HIM to lead you into fully committing your life to HIS glory by giving to HIM your time, talent, and treasure.

Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Jesus had 12 disciples and many followers. However, HE only allowed Peter, James and John to see HIM transfigured. This was a special thing and Jesus selected three of HIS closest disciples to experience this mountain top experience. However, just because they saw this great thing of the Lord, they were charged that they were not allowed to tell anyone until after Jesus was raised from the dead.

In the same way that Jesus worked with each of HIS disciples differently, so too does HE work with each member of HIS church in a different manner. Just because you are in the midst of a trial, it does not mean that those around you are in a trial. Just because you are on a mountaintop and you see and hear God’s voice so clearly, it does not mean that God has led those around you into a mountaintop experience.

All of Jesus’ disciples had to face the valley of the shadow of death when Jesus died, but only a handful of disciples experienced the mountaintop. Peter, James and John went on to do great things for God. Jesus understood that while all of his disciples were called, their level of commitment was different. Because much was expected of Peter, James and John, Jesus allowed them to see the transfiguration.

God desires that you do great things for HIM. However, you must be faithful to do much with the time, talents and treasures that HE has already given you. If you are not faithful with the limited time, talents and treasures God has given you, why should you expect God to reveal HIMSELF more fully to you? When God does give you a mountaintop experience, it should be a strong indication to you that God has something special for your life. You must be willing to be used of God in a powerful way.

God uses mountaintop experiences to give you the strength to overcome great hurdles in your life. You must never forget those times that God was really close to you and you clearly heard HIS voice. There will be times when you are in the valley and when you feel like you are in a desert and the voice of God is not as clear in your life. During these times you must remember that God is with you and that HE has promised to never forsake you. Remember the promises of God during the difficult time so that you do not yield to sin and fall short of the glory of God.

God is with you when HE leads you through the valley of the shadow of death and HE is with you when HE takes up into the mountains and reveals HIMSELF to you in ways you never would have imagined. You must remember to remain faithful regardless of where God has placed you. You must remember that your relationship with God is the most important thing in your life.

Just as Jesus led Peter, James and John up into the mountain, so too it will be by God’s leading that you will be taken up into the mountain. Use the mountaintop as an opportunity to draw closer to God. It is easier to draw closer to God when you hear HIS voice so clearly. As you draw closer to God, fill your mind and heart with the things of God and thus add virtue to your life.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught you to “seek and ye shall find”. However, the real question is, what are you supposed to seek that you are guaranteed to find. Christ did not mean that if you seek to find a hidden earthly treasure that you are guaranteed to find it just because you are looking for it. Instead, what Christ was teaching is that if you seek first the things of God, than you will find them. If you seek God’s righteousness surely you will find it. If you seek God’s will for your life, God will reveal it to you.

It is not your job to spend your time seeking the things of this world because Jesus teaches you that the things of this world are corrupt and will be destroyed. Instead, it is your job to put God first in your life and to seek how you are to live your life here on this earth for HIS glory.

You can seek high and low in this world happiness and contentment. Nonetheless, you will never find what you are seeking until you change your perspective and start looking for the things of God. If you change your perspective and begin to focus you time, talent and treasures upon the will of God, God will be able to give you that which you have been looking for all along. The reason you could not find happiness and contentment was because you were looking for it in the wrong place.

Everything has a purpose. Think of a Lego set. This Lego set comes with a plan that if you follow the plan, you will be able to make the object depicted on the box. However, now imagine the Lego set having a will of its own and the Lego set arbitrarily deciding that it was going to make itself into whatever it wanted to be. Rather than be the plane it decided it was going to be a ship. It does not matter how long or how hard the Lego set works, it will never be truly complete until it puts aside its will and begins to follow the plans that were laid out for it. If it follows the Master plan, every piece will be used and every piece will fit to perfection combining together to make something greater.

You must change your perspective if you desire to find true happiness. Jesus commanded that if you lay aside your own yoke and put on HIS’ yoke that you would find rest. The reason you will find rest is because you will not have to look any more for those things that give you happiness. Instead, because you are instep with the will of God, you will understand what God desires you to do next and you can do it. As long as you stay in the yoke with Christ, you will be in a position that you can do great things for God. However, as soon as you decide that you can find more happiness on your own, you will be pulling your own burden and you will be unable to find that which you are seeking.

Seeking the things of God requires a change of perspective in your life. Adding virtue to your life is the tool that is necessary so as to give you the inward strength to put aside the temptations of this world in order to seek for the things of God. The world, the flesh, and the devil desire to distract your attention from the things of God, but instead, through Christ you can overcome the world and learn to focus your mind upon those things that are pleasing to God. By adding virtue to your life and learning to focus upon the things of God, God will be able to bless you and give you what you really desire.

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

During the Sermon on the Mount, Christ commanded you to not lay up for yourself treasures on this earth. Instead, Christ commanded you that the treasures you lay up for yourself should be the heavenly treasures that will last forever. The reason Christ gave for this commandment was that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Christ is not saying that you cannot live in a house and own a car. Christ is commanding you not to horde and collect things above that which you need. Christ desires that rather then spending your time, talent and treasure on things of this world that will eventually be destroyed, you should spend your time, talent and treasure upon the things of God that will build for yourself an eternal reward.

Christ explains that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. If you have treasure here on this earth, than your heart will be here on the earth and it will be your desire to do whatever it takes to enjoy your treasure here on earth. You will miss many valuable opportunities that God has for you because your heart was closer to this earth than it was to the things of God.

Christ desires that your heart be upon HIM and the things of God. HE understands that if you allow your heart to become focused upon the things of this world, that you will be double minded and that you will not fully seek HIM as you should. Christ understands that if the things of this world entangle you, it does not matter how much you profess to be God’s child, you will not be available to truly allow your life to reflect God’s light.

You are commanded to add virtue to your life so as to change your course of thought, feeling and actions. Virtue gives you the moral strength to cut the ties that the world has upon your life so that while you are in the world, you are not of this world. No one forced you to become a Christian. You voluntarily decided that Christ is the way the truth and the life and as such, you should now live your life in such a way that all who see you understand that the things of this world do not possess you.

People do not see your heart but they do see how you spend your time. People do not see your heart but they do see how you use your talent. People do not see your heart but they do see what you treasure. The things of God must be the most important things in your life. If you do not place God first in your life, then the things of the world are first and your heart will not be ready to do the will of God. However, if the things of this world do not possess you, then you will be in a position to follow God wherever HE leads.

God not only desires that you call yourself a Christian but that you also allow your heart to be fully HIS. When you add virtue to your life, you are not allowing the things of this world to have place in your heart and mind and fill that void with the things of God. God does not simply look at the words of your mouth but HE judges you based upon the desires of your heart. If your heart desires the things of this world, than you are a hypocrite in saying that God has all of your heart. Add virtue to your life so that you rid yourself of the influences of this world so that God can truly use you.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his fits: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

The first individual admitted to God�s hall of faith is the second-born son of Adam and Eve. Abel brought an offering unto the Lord of the firstlings of his flock. Able understood who God was and he brought the first of his possessions unto God. God recognized that Able did this by faith and bore witness to the fact that it pleased HIM. Even though Able died as a result of his faith and his sacrifice, his example still speaks to us today about the importance of giving to God by faith the first of our possessions.

Scriptures indicate that Cain was the first to bring an offering. However, God did not accept Cain’s offering. God told Cain that if he did well then his offering would be accepted. What Cain had done wrong, we do not know, but evidently there was something he needed to clear up prior to bringing his offering before the Lord.

Jesus taught us that if we come before the Lord with a gift and remember that we have offended someone that we are to first go and take care of our offended brother and then we can bring our gift. By faith, Able had a clear conscience before his fellowman so that he could come before the Lord with a sacrifice that could be accepted. Remember, Able was not required to bring a sacrifice; this was of his own free will.

Because of the Jesus’ death, we are no longer required to bring sacrifices of sheep and oxen. However, there are still the sacrifices of time, talent, and treasure. These sacrifices are still accepted of the Lord. The question arises as to how pure our heart is. By faith, have we cleared our conscience of all offenses. By faith, have we brought to the Lord our best and not our leftovers.

By faith you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. However, your faith does not stop there. Able was recognized for his faith because he brought a sacrifice unto the Lord with a pure heart. Just as Able by faith believed in the authority of God and brought a sacrifice unto the Lord, so too much you take the next step of faith and be willing to give to the Lord the first of your time, the first of your talents, and the first of your treasure. Be willing to spend time with the Lord. Be willing to give your talents and abilities unto the Lord’s work. Be willing to give your treasure unto those who are doing the Lord’s work.

If you give unto the Lord with a pure heart, trusting that the Lord will take care of you, then you will have properly demonstrated the faith of Able in your life. The witness of Able’s sacrifice lives today and is a testament of how God desires to see our sacrifices with a pure heart. History is full of individuals who gave their first fruits unto the Lord and how the Lord used them mightily. History is also full of examples of those who took their first fruits and gave it over to the wicked one. The stories of these individuals are a scary reminder that where are treasure is, there will our heart be also.

Do you have the faith to trust the Lord and give HIM the first fruits of your time, talent, and treasure? Are you willing to give to the Lord sacrificially so that HE might be glorified through you and so that you might be a testimony unto HIM?