Store up treasures in heaven, it's good for your heart

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

If we want to know where our heart is, Jesus gives us a very easy way to find it. First, find your treasure. And wherever you find your treasure, your heart is right there with it.

I'm sure this is a passage to which many are turning due to the financial crisis right now. But that's not why I'm writing about this particular passage. I merely wanted to point out that the treasure is not the issue for Jesus. The treasure simply indicates where our hearts are. That's what Jesus is concerned about...the heart. Look how He concludes this paragraph.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." (Matthew 6:24)

So, Jesus is revealing that where our treasure is also reveals who our master is. And we cannot serve two masters. I think it's interesting that He doesn't give a third or fourth option, implying that if you're serving anything else, then you are not serving God and God is not your master. I also think it's interesting that He describes the service as love and devotion and the non-service as hate and despite.

Which makes me think of John 14:23,24.

"Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me."

Do you love God?

If you do, then John 14 makes it clear that you will keep His word. And God the Father will love you, and both God and Jesus will come to and make their abode with you.

And James also says that you will receive the crown of life. The Lord has promised it to you, if you love Him.

Do you want to know if you will receive the crown of life, if God the Father and Jesus has made their abode with you...do you want to know if you love Jesus? Find your treasure and you'll find your heart. What are you treasuring? What do you consider to be of extreme worth and value? That's what you're serving, loving, devoting your life to.

I pray that you will find your treasure in heaven and find your heart there firmly attached to Him.