Day Four Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” – Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)
Learn From the Word
Jesus moves on in His sermon from calling out hypocrisy to addressing worry and stress. He says the root of each outward behavior or emotion is our hearts and Jesus continues to drive straight at them. He tells us that our upside-down priorities are the cause of most of our worry and stress, and He instructs us to think with an eternal perspective rather than a temporary, worldly one. If it can’t withstand the moths, rust, and thieves of this world, it’s most likely something not worth treasuring.
Put It Into Practice
Take some time to think about the desires of your heart. What pulls for your attention and affection? Common ones in our modern-day world are possessions, comfort, success at work, our kids’ success in the classroom or on the field, status in the eyes of the world, food, and body image. Most likely you put a lot of your energy and resources toward those things. They aren’t always bad in and of themselves, but what if God asked you to give any of them up or took any of them away? When we pursue something at all cost or desire it more than we desire God Himself, we’ve made it an idol. Take a tangible step today to store up a treasure in heaven instead of on earth and watch the desires of your heart follow.
For Families with Kids at Home
Ask your kids, “If there was a fire or flood and we had to leave the house suddenly, what’s one thing you would try to save?” (Assume all people/pets are safe!)
The truth is that our stuff can always be destroyed or replaced, but the one thing that can never be destroyed is our relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Him is the only thing we get to take with us to heaven, so it’s the most valuable thing we could invest in!