Something that really caught my eye when studying in Matthew these last couple weeks was a small verse found in chapter 6. Jesus is talking about possessions and money and likens what we value to treasure. Verse 21 says, "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
Let it sink in for a second. You see, at first, second, even third glance it reads pretty quick and painless. It's when you begin meditating on it that that the barbs start coming out and poking you. What is it that I truly treasure? If I'm honest with myself I'm a little embarrassed with the list I come up with. Probably most of us have things on our list that don't belong there.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of treasure is the Pirates of the Caribbean movies with Jack Sparrow. Isn't that a natural connection, pirates-treasure? But something that sticks out to me is the never ending desire pirates have for their treasure. It's what drives them, what gives them motivation to sail the seas endlessly, and even their willingness to kill and destroy in order to capture the prize.
I think that's the type of desire Jesus is talking about in regards to the things we "treasure." If we're making things other than God our treasure we are in danger of missing out on what God intended for our lives. A little further down in verse 24 it says, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." I'd like to expand that thought beyond money and like it says in James we can't be a friend of the world and God. You have to make a choice.
So, what will it be? Make a list, be honest and see where your treasure lies.
Let it sink in for a second. You see, at first, second, even third glance it reads pretty quick and painless. It's when you begin meditating on it that that the barbs start coming out and poking you. What is it that I truly treasure? If I'm honest with myself I'm a little embarrassed with the list I come up with. Probably most of us have things on our list that don't belong there.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of treasure is the Pirates of the Caribbean movies with Jack Sparrow. Isn't that a natural connection, pirates-treasure? But something that sticks out to me is the never ending desire pirates have for their treasure. It's what drives them, what gives them motivation to sail the seas endlessly, and even their willingness to kill and destroy in order to capture the prize.
I think that's the type of desire Jesus is talking about in regards to the things we "treasure." If we're making things other than God our treasure we are in danger of missing out on what God intended for our lives. A little further down in verse 24 it says, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." I'd like to expand that thought beyond money and like it says in James we can't be a friend of the world and God. You have to make a choice.
So, what will it be? Make a list, be honest and see where your treasure lies.
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Good! I like this post! =) Everyone has treasures, it's good to be reminded to make sure God comes first!
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