Take a Private Jet to Heaven?

You Can't Take a Private Jet to Heaven!

As a Minister of Word and Sacrament, I must be the first to admit that I like to be comfortable and I like my family to like nice things. As I sit in my home office on a hill in Northern Kentucky, I realize that I have it better than some ministers, and maybe not as well as other ministers.

¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not Matthew 6:19-21

Beloved, what treasures do we seek on earth and what treasurers of the world do we think we can’t live without? The key thought and meaning of today’s text from Matthew 6: 19-21 is that the things that we cherish of this world cannot and will not insure our eternal salvation.  One of my jokes is that some preachers need Ten Million Dollar Private Jets and I am just looking for gas money to a neighboring town.  

Beloved, the only thing that can fly us to heaven is a life that is lived for Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ shed on the cross is the only thing that promises those who believe an eternity in heaven. As much as we would like, our jet planes, fast cars and huge bank accounts cannot ever pay our way into heaven.

Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion. (Henry n.d.)

Beloved, Christ has paid for our tickets to heaven, while blessing many of us with lives of comfort and wonderful earthly possessions. The question that I will ask of all of us this morning is:

• Is your wealth growing your pockets or is it growing God’s Kingdom?
• Have you invested in the ministries of your church, have you helped when others were not financially able to do so?

 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

My friends, I ask that you stray away from the prosperity gospel preachers who tell you that God wants us all wealthy and living our best life now. Remember, God has already given us everything that we will ever need for an eternity, He gave us His Son’s life!

This is the day that The Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

Pastor Tim.

Works Cited

Henry, Matthew. n.d. biblehub.com. Accessed August 30, 2017. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/matthew/6.htm.