values

April 22 - Treasure

Read: Matthew 6:19-21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21 ESV)

Just the idea of treasure is pretty cool. It makes me think of rare valuables of unimaginable worth. Sparkly shiny things tucked away in secret chests hidden away behind maps, traps, and adventure. It also elicits visions of priceless artifacts put on display in public places by people who wish to share their treasure with the world. Treasure is awesome. Jesus' concept of treasure painted an even better word picture. He defined treasure as something of value. Treasure as he taught it, was something of extreme importance. Treasure was and is whatever you put your heart into.

What you value matters. What you value shapes your hobbies, decisions, and ethics. What you value is your treasure, and your treasure is your values. How important you deem something to be gauges your willingness to invest in it. It determines your perception of its worth. Something perceived to be of high value is handled with care and respect. Something considered frivolous or unworthy is disregarded, neglected, or abused.

We make decisions about our treasure every day. Sometimes we share it. Often we hoard. Sometimes we decide people are treasured, and other times we see them as having no value at all. My prayer is that Jesus would help me daily to value things as he does. I want my heart to be where his is. I want my treasure to be the same. I have such a long way to go to get there.