September 1, 2021 – What has your heart?
Matthew 6:19-21, NIV - “Do not store
up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where
thieves break in and steal. But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Believe or not, this passage has
been used to support the notion that we should not have a savings account, make
investments, or and in any way store wealth of any kind. After all, taken very literally, that’s what
Jesus seems to suggest. It’s clear that
most of us either do not think that is what Jesus means or we just refuse to
take it seriously. Jesus is speaking
plainly here, but He is NOT forbidding us to have a savings account.
My Dad’s response to car accidents
(mine, my brother’s, my sister’s, my mother’s) was always the same. Once he determined that everybody was
unharmed, he would then declare about the damaged vehicle, “Well, it’s just
metal” (Never mind that there is less and less metal in cars all the time!).
That has stayed with me my whole life because I know my Dad is enthusiastic
about cars. They are actually more than
just “metal” to him. But as much as he
enjoys almost everything about cars, they are not his treasure. His “people” are.
The key word in the passage above
is “treasures.” Dictionary.com defines
treasure as “any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized.” For Jesus, wealth is not to be placed in this
category. Wealth is to be used for
obtain the things that should be in this category – things like integrity,
compassion, and strong relationships to name a few. When was the last time someone stole one of
your treasured relationships? How about
your integrity? Ever had that destroyed by squirrels? (Yes, squirrels are vermin to me 😊) Jesus is talking about examining our values.
He suggesting that if what you truly value in life can be eaten by moths or
stolen by thieves, you’re in a bad place.
Questions: So here’s
a little thought experiment; think about what you have that can be destroyed or
stolen. Imagine that it indeed is
destroyed and/or stolen. Really imagine
that happening. How do you feel? What are the thoughts that cross your
mind? These are clues to whether or not
your treasure is tied up in temporal things.
I do this little experiment on a regular basis and all too often, I
realize the hold that destroyable or stealable things have on my heart is not
good. What about you?
Prayer: Lord, help us
see the mostly deeply-held values of our heart clearly. May we let go of unhealthy attachments to
things that can be destroyed or stolen.
Amen,
Prayer Focus: Pray for
those working in healthcare in the worst part of this pandemic so far
nationwide.
Song: The Beatles -
Can't Buy Me Love
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