OUR PRIORITIES AND OUR HEARTS
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
Theme: Your heart and actions follow your treasure; where is your treasure?
ALIGN YOUR HEART WITH GOD
John D. Rockefeller, once the wealthiest man in the world, was asked a question, “How much money is enough?” Rockefeller answered, “Just a little bit more.” Was John D. greedy, wanting even more money? I don’t think so. His tongue-in-cheek answer showed the foolishness of believing that wealth can fulfill the human heart. He knew that material possessions would never provide everlasting happiness. He understood human nature, not ignoring it. With “just a little bit more,” he sarcastically showed the idiocy of the idea. He was implying that true fulfillment comes from things money can’t buy; such treasures like love, meaning, and goodness. His wealth was given to charities, education, medical research, the arts, and much more. As a devout, tithing Christian, he used his riches not primarily for selfish gain, but to follow today’s Scripture in serving society. His heart and actions followed his material and spiritual treasures.
There is nothing wrong with material things, but - as Mr. Rockefeller did - seek God first.
Jesus’ powerful message, from His Sermon on the Mount, spoke of our priorities and hearts. The desires of humankind dictate where we spend our resources, energy, and time. These represent more than material worth. Mortal treasures lose their value, as decay takes its toll. Treasures in heaven align with God’s will. Our hearts follow our investments. What do we truly value?
WE LOVE OUR “STUFF”
When it comes to our treasures, we sure do have a lot of stuff. Jesus, in today’s message, addresses the material things in our life. Greed can get in the way, as we live in a consumer-driven world. We prioritize taking care of accumulated stuff. In many cases, we don’t own our stuff … it owns us. We are very adept at accumulating excess. We have so much that our country leads the world in the number of storage facilities built (over 50,000 so far; ninety percent of the world’s total). One in every five Americans uses self-storage. What do we do with all that “stuff?” We move it around through yard sales, garage sales and flea markets. We shuffle stuff, back and forth, to one another or purge a few things, only to purchase even more. Is this what Jesus wanted when He addressed the crowd? What would He say today, about our life excesses?
Make it personal: My own personal involvement with accumulated clutter is now my most emotional, yet spiritually cleansing journey. I am in the process of contracting to have my attic turned into living quarters. To accommodate this, all that “stuff” up there must go. I had become attached to that sentimental “stuff.” I refuse to place it in a storage unit. Ninety percent of it must go now; either donated or trashed. The kids don't want any of it. Those items represent my past, and the memories and emotions of that past represent the material worshipping I had been doing with them. With sincere honesty, as I write this Devotion, I realize that those musty old material things do not serve a purpose in a pure spiritual lifestyle. I am about to create an environment conducive to my relationship with God. I will sweep out my house and put it in order (Luke 11:25, ESV). When you see me in church, please ask me how it’s going.
What determines your focus and desires? Is your heart drawn to earthly possessions or spiritual growth? A minimalist lifestyle is intentionally living with fewer possessions — focusing only on the ones you need … like what Jesus practiced and preached. What did we bring into this world, and what will we take out of it? Why does the Bible say that we can’t serve both God and money?
Pray: LORD. We thank You for Your meaningful words. As Jesus speaks to us, through His Sermon on the Mount, may we honor You in the way we reason and manage our lives. Please help guide us to prioritize our time, energy, and resources in a way that reflects our love for You and Your eternal kingdom. You are the treasure we hold dear to our hearts. We serve You LORD, in the Name of Your Son, our Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen
Read: Hebrews 13:5, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Romans 12:11, Luke 12:33, 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Weekly Memory Verse: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1, ESV