We all know if you have heart problems the whole body is affected. If your heart doesn’t pump enough, there is not enough oxygen going to the rest of your body. If your heart beats erratic, the blood can pool and form clots which can cause a stroke, and on and on the problems go from issues with the heart. The heart is also the seat of our emotions which determines much of what we do. When the Bible speaks of the heart, it is not necessarily speaking about the muscle in our chest that pumps our blood. The Hebrew word for heart, b’bel, and the Greek word kardia, occurs over 1000 times in the Bible. It denotes a person’s center for both physical and emotional-intellectual-moral activities. Just as medicine must regulate our physical heart at times, we must use the word of God to regulate our emotional heart.
Jesus knows how the heart works. He knows that the heart can get so hung up on something that it distorts its value and importance when it relates to what is important to us. In Matthew 6:21, he is warning us to train our hearts to choose the right things to value.
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Where is your treasure? What do you value enough to sink your money into? Whenever we put our money into something it’s only logical that we will have a vested interest in it. It is only right to make sure you are putting your money where it can give the greatest return for your investment. After all, we are to be wise stewards of what God has placed in our hands. In Matthew 25:14-30, we have the parable of the three stewards and their master. He gives to each of them talents, or rather money, and they are to use it wisely and have something to give to him upon his return. One gets 5, another 2, and another 1. When he returned the steward whom he gave one talent hid it and all he had to give back to the master was the one. The others had doubled their money, had used it wisely, and were able to give back more than they had received. Their hearts were in the right place. They wanted to do the best for their master and please him on his return. The steward who received one talent allowed fear and laziness to dictate what he would do, and it cost him everything. The master took the one and gave it to the one who had the most.
What is important to us will determine where and how we use the money God has allowed us to have. You may be a young Christian, and you are just beginning to tithe, you don’t see it in your budget, but you want to be obedient. Keep on obeying, your heart will follow where you put your treasure, and your joy will overflow. If you want your heart to be in the things of God, then put your treasure in the things of God. When you develop a vested interest in God’s kingdom you will cherish it, and give attention to it, as much as you would a million dollars of your income in the stock market.
In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus tells them what to do with their treasures. Investments here will decay, but treasures in heaven will be eternal. We are to use our gifts for eternal purposes.
Matthew 6:19-20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”
What you consider valuable, shows where your heart is. You may pay your tithe and think that is enough, but all that we have is God’s. It’s a gift from Him, and He expects us to use it for His glory. To use it in a way that can enlarge the kingdom. What do you have that you hold tightly in your hands? What about your home? Are you using it to show others the love of Christ? What about your time? How much do you spend lying around doing nothing? When was the last time you took a meal to someone, or a dessert, or anything that took your time and resources? Whatever you have, step up to the task, and bless someone by showing Christ’s love. There are many ways to do that if you consider everything you have as a gift to be used for Him.
Jesus is calling each of us to change our minds from the temporal things to the eternal. From the things that are merely passing by, to the things that are permanent. None of the things that we have on this earth, can be taken to heaven. We can, however, influence people so they will make it to Heaven. Why not use our resources in a way that will last forever? Hebrews 11:13-16 tells us of many who died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on this earth. They got it right! They understood this home is only a shell of what is to come, and now they are experiencing the real treasures of their heart, forever! Because of their attitude and actions, verse 16 tells us, that God is not ashamed to be called their God. Wow, God was pleased to be called their God. Can he say the same thing about us?
