Matthew 13:44-46 "Treasure of the Heart"

Read Matthew 13:44-46.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field." NIV

Now of course Jesus is not saying here that salvation can be purchased. Neither is He saying that you must go out and sell everything you have to follow Jesus. It's a parable, not literal directions.
What He is saying is something every one of us should evaluate for our own lives. He's saying that our devotion to Christ should be of such priority and importance that it has first place in our lives. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is second to following Christ. Our spouse, our children, our friends, our careers, our possessions, our hobbies, our personal comfort, our goals, our recreation, our dreams all fall behind following Christ. And in doing so, we are demonstrating to God that He is first in our life and to others the true value that the kingdom of heaven holds in our lives. He is the treasure that we must hold dear and protect at all cost. Nothing and no one takes precedence over Him.

I probably should evaluate this daily, but at least periodically, look at each area of my life and ask this question, "Am I putting ___________ in front of God?" Sometimes, the thing may be a worthy activity that serves Him. But if I am placing greater importance on the act of service to God than on being His obedient follower, my priorities are out of whack. Our schedule of activities each day and our checkbook tell exactly where we rank our priorities. If I am not being a servant of Jesus Christ in everything I do, I've got it all wrong.

Now in many ways this is an attitude of the heart and my Christianity defining who I am. For example, we have to work to live. It's simply a fact of life - no work, no money, then no food or housing. But because I am a follower of Christ and all followers are called to be ministers of the gospel, I can be a follower while doing my job. I don't set aside my very essence as a believer in Jesus Christ so I can go do my job. I do my job as a believer in Jesus Christ. I work hard; keep respectful, cooperative, healthy relationships with my co-workers and clients; I am a person of integrity, humility and grace. I share the love of Christ simply through my actions and attitudes or through, more overtly, telling them about Jesus. That is doing my job with Christ first in my life.

Therefore, I must be willing to give up everything for Christ. Before anyone or anything, He is my treasure and my life is the pedestal on which to display His glory.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look in a concordance for the word "treasure." Compare and contrast God's definition of a treasure with the world's.
2. Define "lord." If Christ is Lord of your life, how does that make Him your treasure? What parts of your heart need to change to be in line with His lordship?
3. Evaluate your day yesterday. Did you live it with Christ as the priority? Was there anything in your day that was contrary to Christ? If yes, why? Do you need to seek forgiveness for any attitudes or actions?
4. Is Christ your treasure? If so, how does that play out in your every day life? What does that mean for the priorities of your heart?

Matthew 6:19-24 "One Master"

Read Matthew 6:19-24.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." NIV

I understand the beginning of this passage - working for things of this world is not where our focus should be. "Stuff" here will be gone. It's not that I can't have stuff, but my heart needs to be focused on the will and direction of my Lord and Master.

And I understand the last paragraph -- there can be only one master of my life. Two beings or things giving instruction will often contradict. God desires to be the one and only. In fact, He states it very clearly in Commandment #1 - "You shall have no other gods before me."

But that middle paragraph had me a little confused. What does my eye and light and darkness have to do with anything? After some research, everything is much clearer, hmmmm, which is sort of what it's talking about, clarity. The Greeks would have understood that having good eyes means to see things clearly and completely focused. And with good eyes you walk in light -- seeing all things clearly with a strong purpose. Whereas darkness is clouded and without focus.

If we keep our eyes focused on God and His purposes; if we follow His precepts; if we remain in this world and not of this world, our eyes will be filled with light and not darkness. I have many people ask me how to keep sin out of their lives and not become mastered by it. Here's the answer. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Simple sentence but the enemy makes it a difficult task. Only by focusing our will on the Father and glorifying Him can we keep from satisfying the lusts of the world.

Sometimes I wish I'd lived in biblical times or even live in a country now where people have very little. Well, I wouldn't choose to live in a place where I didn't know where my next meal was coming from. But I would love to live a simpler life. I've many times threatened to get a dumpster and sweep my house clean of all stuff. Just leave me a bed, a chair, and a table, some food, and a few changes of clothing and I'd be happy. (Yes, if I was Catholic being a nun may have been appealing.) Getting rid of all that stuff is so freeing. I wouldn't have to dust, wash, mend, repair, make payments on, store, or file anything. How freeing would that be?

But that's not where I live. Therefore, I must discipline my mind to not get caught up in the "stuff" society I live in and let the Joneses out do me. I will own things without them owning me. I will continue to give things away to keep my life as uncluttered as possible. I will not allow my "things" to master my life, but serve only one Master. I'm not made for this world, but for one coming where stuff has no meaning. For now, I will do the Lord's will, reach out to people, and let the clutter of the world fall around me untouched.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is there some thing or things that have taken control of your life other than God? Do you really want to serve that master? Read 2 Peter 2:19b. Find other Scriptures on serving only God.
2. A great deal of this has to do with our choices. What choices do you need to make so you are serving one Master and not two or more? Joshua made choices to follow God. Read his farewell to the Israelite leaders in Joshua 23:1-24:27.
3. How can time become your master? What can you do to keep that from happening?
4. Are there some changes you need to make in your life pattern/habits to choose God as your only Master? Ask the Lord to help you and write down your plan for change.