Your Heart, Your Treasure
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By John Mathews
Money intersects with everything we do in life. It is a common denominator of everyday living. We work for it and spend it. We save it and waste it. Most of our days are consumed by how to obtain it. Money is such a powerful force that it is the number one reason for divorce.
Why do we have such an allegiance to money? Is it because we love what it can provide us with? Money pays the bills, buys us the latest and greatest, and enables us to live a comfortable lifestyle.
In today’s culture, money speaks louder than words; it awards prestige and honor. Money may provide security for a time, but it can quickly disappear, leaving only a vague memory and an empty wallet. While it is considered a measure of success, in actuality, wealth is a false sense of security. It can blur our spiritual judgment in the decisions we make.
It has been said that money has god-like power and it is the god of this world. Why is this? Because money provides us with immediate gratification, and God can be replaced in an instant. The Bible says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13, NIV). It can’t get any clearer than this. We must make our choice—serve God or serve money.
The choice between God and money for some people is a real struggle. Some realize the battle and seek out help. Others don’t recognize it or choose to ignore it. The line is blurred. That is why Jesus says, “ ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, NIV).
The decision to serve God or money comes down to two important questions: Where is your treasure, and where is your heart? The answers to these questions determine who we are and what decisions we make. How serious are we about serving God, becoming His disciples, following His will, becoming stewards, and managing His possessions? On the other hand, how serious are we about building bigger houses, storing up success, or reaching for worldly possessions to satisfy our pleasures?
The answers tell us where our heart and treasure is. At the North American Division’s Stewardship Ministries, our mission is to help you spiritually connect your heart to your treasure.