Are you guarding your treasure well?
And I said to these priests, “You and these treasures have been set apart as holy to the Lord. This silver and gold is a voluntary offering to the Lord, the God of our ancestors. Guard these treasures well until you present them to the leading priests, the Levites, and the leaders of Israel, who will weigh them at the storerooms of the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem.” So the priests and the Levites accepted the task of transporting these treasures of silver and gold to the Temple of our God in Jerusalem. ~ Ezra 8:28 – 30 NLT
After 70 years of captivity, the Jews were given permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the one, true God of heaven. Not only were they released, but the king of Persia returned the gold and silver plundered from Solomon’s Temple when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and deported thousands of Jews.
How much gold and silver? Literally tons! Ezra’s dilemma was how to safely transport thousands of pounds of treasure from Babylon to Jerusalem (a 900-mile journey that would take four months to complete). Any loss, theft, or mismanagement of the temple treasure would undermine Ezra’s credibility and the ultimate goal of re-establishing a worshipping community of Jews in Jerusalem living in obedience to God’s word.
As we consider the steps Ezra took to safeguard the treasure God entrusted to him, think of the treasure that has been entrusted to you.
1. All your treasure is owned by God.
“You and these treasures have been set apart as holy to the LORD.” Ezra reminded them of the fundamental truth that God owns everything (including your life – you have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ). Until we get clarity on God’s ultimate ownership and our responsibility to steward well what God entrusts to us, we will continue to squander his treasure.
2. We are accountable to God.
“Guard these treasures well until you present them to the leading priests.” The priests and Levites understood that every ounce of silver and gold would be weighed before the trip began, and once again after they arrived in Jerusalem. They understood their personal responsibility to safeguard a vast treasure on a long and perilous journey. Likewise, we will all stand before God one day to answer the questions, “What did you do with the treasure I entrusted to you? Did you steward it well?”
3. We must accept the task.
“So the priests and Levites accepted the task of transporting these treasures.” Christ’s invitation is to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him every day. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Those of us who repent (change our mind, our heart, and our direction) and place our trust in Jesus Christ are asked to follow him as his apprentices and given a purpose.
The question for each of us today is simple but far-reaching; have we accepted Christ’s invitation to follow him as our Lord and Savior? If so, we have been entrusted with God’s treasure (relationships, influence, a story to tell, spiritual gifts, abilities, 24 hours each day, resources, and more). Are we guarding those treasures well?