Where is Your Treasure?
Scripture - Mark 10:17-31
In today's passage, a rich man approached Jesus seeking to inherit eternal life. Jesus, knowing where this man's heart was told him to make the ultimate sacrifice of selling all he had and give it to the poor.
Before we go any further, let's get one thing straight... God is not against wealth or riches! Now that we got that clear one may ask, "Well, why did Jesus tell this man to sell all he had and give it to the poor?" The answer is quite simple... Jesus knew where this man's heart was.
The Bible teaches in Luke 12:34, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This rich man's heart was in his earthly riches and not in the kingdom of God. Therefore, when Jesus asked him to give up his riches he was sad and went away sorrowful (v. 22).
We don't know the ultimate fate of this rich man. We don't know if he eventually had a change of heart or if he continued to choose his riches over God. We do, however, know our ultimate fate. If we search deep in our hearts to see where our treasure really lies we will know if we will inherit the kingdom of God or not.
Where is your treasure? What means more to you than following Jesus? Is it your boyfriend? Your career? Your money? Your possessions... house, car, clothes? Yourself? People's opinion of you? Whatever you treasure it captures your heart, and eventually it takes the place of God in your life if you're not willing to let it go to follow Jesus.
God desires your whole heart, not part of it. There is nothing wrong with loving people and appreciating the things you have. But there is everything wrong with loving them more than you love God and clinging to them to the point that you forfeit the kingdom of God because you're unwilling to detach yourself and cling to Jesus.
Again I ask, "Where is your treasure?" Many people spend their entire lives seeking earthly fulfillment looking everywhere except God. Nothing and no one satisfies like He does, and no amount of riches on this earth will outweigh the benefits of the kingdom of God.
Journal
- What have you treasured more than God? Why?
- Are you willing to give it up to follow Jesus? Why or why not? Note: There are times you may not have to give anything up, but just being willing to give it up is all that matters.
- Spend time talking to Jesus about the things you treasure. Ask Him to help you put everything in the right perspective so that following Him and inheriting the kingdom of God is top priority in your life.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Luke 12:34
Comments