REFLECTIONS

Where Your Treasure Is

Going on a treasure hunt? In this passage, Jesus invites us to go on one. You may be surprised to discover what your treasures are. I was. Sometimes treasures lead us places we never intended to go. At least some of my treasures have.

We’re not talking about chess-like pieces that you pray to like I imagine those Rachael took from Laban, her father. You remember the story in Genesis 31 when Jacob broke his bondage to his father-in-law and took his family with him. No. I’m referring to whatever might hold a place in your heart above your love for God.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Treasures are those embraceable things at the core of our value systems. They may be in the forms of status, physical possessions, or behavioral practices. They manifest in the heart as your life’s priorities. The only way to displace them there is by transplanting something else.

Jesus’ summary of the Ten Commandments reminds that love for God should be our greatest treasure. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. So, when you look truthfully into your life—the priorities you assign in your daily living—do you find anything standing between God and your heart? Enter Satan’s playground.

Besides threatening our insecurities (food, shelter, and safety,) it seems unlikely that the ole sneaky snake who tempted Eve would choose to tempt you or me with anything that doesn’t rank high on our pleasure lists. That’s the underbelly Satan likes to attack. He makes sinners of us by blinding us with fear and pleasure. Crafty, huh?

As I said, sometimes our treasures lead us to places we never intended to go. What I didn’t say though is knowing what the treasure is may help get us back on track.

Jesus invites us to go on a treasure hunt. He describes what the treasure is and tells us where it should be found. Paul then tells us what the treasure should do:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

With clues now in hand—Happy hunting.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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