Where is Your Treasure?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, NKJV)

Where is your treasure? Where is your heart?

Are you more interested in people or possessions? Are you available for people in their time of need? Are you living superficially in this life? Do you want to have and keep all of the material things of this world? Which means more to you...people or things?

"but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20, NKJV)

“...For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV)

First, God desires for us to love Him! (See Mark 12:30) Then, love one another! (See John 13:34-35) Do you love people? Are you showing love to them?

How do you love others? How do you show love to them? Well, one way is to imitate the Father (See Ephesians 5:1). Also, walk in love as Jesus Christ did and gave Himself for us (See Ephesians 5:2).

Are you walking in love? Are you imitating Jesus Christ? Jesus gave of Himself! He gave people His time and other resources. He taught them lessons. He listened to them. He shared with them. He endured hardships! He suffered for righteousness' sake! Ultimately, He laid down His life for everyone (See 1 John 3:16)!

Which means more to you...people or material possessions like money?

"No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24, NIV)

If you had a choice of helping a person financially or otherwise, what would you do? Would you keep the money or other material possessions for yourself? Would you help the person? Which is more important to you? Which do you really love?

God does not bless people with His resources in order to be selfish, self-centered, greedy, or hoarders. He has freely given, so we should freely give too (See Proverbs 11:24). He also loves a cheerful giver (See 2 Corinthians 9:7).

Our Father asks us, "If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him—how can God's love reside in him?" (1 John 3:17, HCSB)

Later, His instruction, "Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth; that is how we will know we are of the truth, and will convince our hearts in His presence, because if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things." (1 John 3:18-20, HCSB)

What will you do the next time someone needs a helping hand? Will you deny their request? Will you walk away? On the other hand, will you show the love of the Father? Will you show the love of Jesus Christ?

Afterall, the righteous are never forsaken and God's children are never begging for bread. (See Psalm 37:25) For God feeds, clothes, and provides for all of our needs. (See Matthew 6:25-33) Therefore, should not we do the same? If we are really imitating Him, should not we also do for others? Let us actually show His love to others in obedience to Him and from our hearts.


Copyright 2010 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.