Your Treasure Shows What You Love
I don’t watch the World Series of Poker, but I know enough about how poker is played and that players will watch the faces and behaviors of their competitors to see if they can figure out what’s in their hands or if they are bluffing or not. They’re looking for a “tell,” something that gives away what’s going on in their hands and inside their minds. There are certain things on the outside that will give away what’s going on on the inside.
Something like that happens with us. Jesus says that there are certain “tells,” like worry and chasing after worldly treasures, that tip God off to the spiritual condition of our heart He says, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. And because Jesus loves us, he steers us away from that worry and those fears today as he gently reasons with us and pushes us to think about God’s loving care for us both physically and spiritually. He wants us to trust in him and to value heavenly treasure, not the things of this world.
Worldly People
As Jesus spoke to his disciples about heavenly treasures, he commented on what unbelieving people see as treasure and how they pursue those things It’s the food and drink and clothes and their lives in general. It’s not that those things are wrong all by themselves, but it’s people’s attitudes toward them, the place they are given on the heart’s priority list, that can be a problem.
People who do not have hearts tuned to God are inwardly focused. Jesus says that they chase after these things for themselves. Think about that for a moment. Does it make sense that they would do that? Of course, it does! Without God, what else do they have? Who else would they live for?
They have only themselves. Their desires. Things they want. Things that are around for a while but go away. Things that will not be going with them when they die.
People who do not believe in God are very different than people who do. Without the confidence that a loving God is providing for them, it is all up to them to get it done, to make it happen, to acquire the things they need or want. They need to do it or find the people who will help them. Will they get what they want? Will they find someone to help? Will it be enough? They’re left hanging there, suspended between worry and hope, not knowing, unsure, afraid, constantly chasing.
And what about what happens after they die? Even when their questions about death linger in their minds, their heart is still tied to this world. Things here are all they know. Possessions, money these are their treasures. And they will have had their good things here and then suffer for eternity. Jesus told a story about just this kind of thing about a rich man who did not trust in God. He died and went to hell. That worldlyfocused man was told: “in your lifetime you received your good things” but now you are here in misery (Luke 16:25) The man’s heart was set on earthly things. He enjoyed them…and then he died. Then he had nothing except banishment in hell, suffering and away from God. He treasured and chased the wrong things.
God’s Little Flock
What about you? Are you chasing the wrong things? Does your heart look like that of people who don’t love God? We probably have to say that’s sometimes true—maybe even a lot of the time. You might even have some “tells:” getting really anxious as you look at your debts, worrying as you try to plan for retirement. You might be hoarding your wealth because you love it and what it can get you too much, or you’re afraid to let some of it go. If your offerings to God are zero or they are very tiny compared to the wealth he is regularly giving you, you have a heart problem, a faith problem That’s a symptom of what’s in your heart: worry…fear…love of the world—"little faith,” Jesus says.
You would be a rare bird indeed if you never worry about your money or get anxious about your stuff or want more than you have or enjoy those things while ignoring God who gave them to you.
A common bird like a raven does not do what you and I do. They go about their day eating the food their Creator gives them. Yes, they “work for it,” I suppose. They have to leave the nest and do more than hang out with their buddies on the power lines.
You’re so much more valuable than the birds who don’t worry and are taken care of through the means God provides! For them, it’s not planting and harvesting. They peck away at the oranges and lemons on the trees you take care of. They snatch seeds off of the ground. They pick at roadkill rabbits and rattlesnakes (I know, gross.) God gives them ways to have what they need to live. He does the same for you!
Jesus is pushing you to carefully consider these ravens…so that you will listen when he also insists that you stop worrying. Because if you truly pause to think about those birds, you might consider the fact that you almost never have to eat roadkill because God gives you a job or parents or retirement income or an inheritance or help from others or the garden and trees in your yard—and maybe a few of these things and even some other things. He uses different means to provide all that you truly need.
Jesus also pushes you to think about flowers. Flowers don’t drive to work to get paid so that they can get nourishment and survive. They don’t look so beautiful because they make stunning clothes for themselves. They have life and beauty because their Creator does this for them. The insanely wealthy and wise King Solomon dressed in his most ritzy, regal robes didn’t look as good as them! God does that for simple flowers that grow and bloom for a short time and then are gone. If God does this for them, how much more is going to provide for you the ones who don’t simply come to an end like they do, but will enjoy being with him eternally?!
Why? Why does he do this? Why does he send what you need and care for you in an even greater way than anything else in all of his creation? Because he loves you. Because you’re higher on his list than the birds and flowers he takes care of every single day! Because you are the crown of his creation! Because he created you with not just a body, but a soul so that you can live with him eternally!
You know that God created and loves you and gives you everything every day, so if you don’t think of God, if you don’t trust that he’ll keep doing that until you’re done in this world, if you get consumed with what you have and can get on this side of heaven and forget him and,
yes, if you even worry about all of this…then you have little faith, Jesus says.
Continue down that path of doubt and fear and worry and chasing after the things in this world, and it can end tragically for you when you die—and that will be permanent, eternal just like the rich man in Jesus’ story. You can see why Jesus is concerned about where your heart is, right?
Whatever the things are that dominate your thoughts, your time, your wealth, your serving, your hope that is what you treasure, and it reveals the thing or things you love the most. For those in God’s “little flock,” God is their treasure. His Word is their treasure. His kingdom of believers is their treasure. Eternal life with him in heaven is their treasure.
Here’s a radical thought for those of us guilty of treasuring worldly things: Sell your possessions and give to the needy. In other words, Jesus says be so unworried about worldly wealth that you give some of it to others. You might be the way he provides for others.
You already know this don’t you—that God sees what is in your heart and he sees what you do? He’s telling you how you are to feel about the treasures he gives you and what you are to do with them. What does he see when he looks at your heart and your life? Is there a need for repentance today?
Your Father in Heaven
When we read these words from Luke, did you catch the stunning, pop-off-the-page line about God’s care for you. There might be a couple you would pick out, but I think it’s this one: Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
If you think of the thousands of ways we sin against God, or just focus on the worry and fear that comes along with treasuring worldly things, don’t you have to sit there and say, “Why in the world would God be pleased to give me all the blessings that come with being part of his kingdom?! For people whose hearts are often dark with disrespect toward God with their worry and fear…the Father is pleased to reach out and bless them?! Tell me you find that stunning too!
Your heavenly Father’s heart is showing what he treasures and it’s you! He is happy to give his grace to you. He enjoys extending that love and forgiveness. And if he does that, he certainly takes care of all the other stuff you need! He knows you need to eat and drink and sleep somewhere. And he gives you those things too. As we talk about this, it’s pretty apparent that we need God’s grace even more than we need food though, isn’t it? Without the grace of God, you could have the whole world of stuff, but you would die eternally.
The Father sent his Son to bring this kingdom to you. Jesus came to save you from an empty life of living for cheap trinkets that don’t last and so that you can have a rich life of living for the treasure of heaven
The one who didn’t have a place to lay his head, who depended on his Father to provide what he needed through whatever means he felt were right he resisted the love of material things and worry and fear about his future needs. His perfection in this was seen by his Father just as surely as our imperfections are. And when his perfect heart and life were given on the cross, that perfection was transferred over to you.
When we realize the treasures our Savior has given us by making us part of his kingdom and giving us heaven, our hearts can be changed or renewed. We can banish the worry that blinds us to the consistent, generous, loving care of our Father in heaven. We can wake up each morning remembering the heavenly treasures God has given us. And we can show with our hearts and lives that we trust him for everything we need and that we are focused on the treasures of heaven. Amen.
Now the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.