You know what this is. Follow the dotted line, facing dangers and peril, and it will lead you to untold riches. Who knows what you may find? Piles of gold? Jewels? Or maybe even something greater?
The truth is, we have all hidden treasure somewhere. It may not be hordes of gold bullion, but each of us has amassed a treasure of our own. It may be money, or perhaps it is knowledge, skills, or influence. Maybe you have invested in relationships, or your job. It could be anything. But whatever it is, you know where it lies. Why? Because you can't stop thinking about. It's true, isn't it?
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
This little gem of wisdom comes from Jesus in Matthew 6:21. He is saying that wherever you have invested, that is where your focus will be. That is where your thoughts, your efforts, your desires will lead you. You can't help it. And, it's not wrong. It's the way we are wired, the way God made us. That's what Jesus is saying. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
But the question really isn't where is your treasure.
The real question is why. What do I mean? I mean, why are you storing your treasure where you are? Why are you piling money into your 401K, or real estate? Why are you investing in that relationship? Why are you spending so much time learning about that subject? Why are you storing up that kind of treasure?
None of those treasures are bad. Treasures are tools, and as such, can be used for noble and ignoble purposes. As a friend told me recently, "A brick can be used to break a window or build a church." That picture works for me. Treasure, whatever your treasure may be, has no inherent quality of good or bad. It's how you use it that matters.
Your treasure influences your life.
We are well served to revisit the words of Jesus: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Continuing that line of thinking, where your heart is, there your actions will be also. We will continue to build up our treasures, wherever and whatever they are. God knows that. That's why he wants us to be so careful with how we go about it.
In the two verses leading up to Matthew 6:21, Jesus tells us to not store up our treasures on earth where they can be destroyed, but rather we should store up for ourselves treasure in heaven. Now I don't believe that means we cannot have worldly wealth. There are many people in the Bible who had worldly wealth who used their money for God's purposes, and found His favor. And they did not have to die poor to find that favor. It wasn't what they had that mattered. It was why and how they used it.
What does it mean to store up treasure in heaven?
I don't know exactly what that means for you, because I believe it is different for everyone. For some, yes, it may mean giving your money away. Jesus told that to a certain rich young ruler. But that was a specific message to a specific person. You may be different. The question you have to ask is, where is your heart?
When you think about your treasure, do you think about doing God's work, or do you think about earthly security, earthly pleasures, selfish desires? That's where your heart is. And if the compass needle of your heart does not point towards heaven when you think about your treasure, it's time to move it. It won't be easy, but God says that's what you have to do. Whatever it takes to get your compass pointed in the right direction.
So think about it.
What are you working for? What are the desires of your heart? That will tell you where your treasure lies.
good read - well said!
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