IT'S SIMPLE

by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)

Where is your heart? If you have a basic understanding of the human anatomy, you know that your heart is located within your rib cage, about 2/3 on the left and 1/3 on the right, connected by coronary arteries and a web of nerve tissue.

Jesus offers a different answer: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:32-34) Perhaps Jesus lacks a basic understanding of biology. Jesus says your heart is where your treasure is.

Obviously, Jesus is not speaking literally. Rather than offering an anatomy lesson, Jesus is reflecting on love, values, passions, and commitments. It’s simple, he says, whatever you love and value the most is where your heart is. It is interesting that Jesus first highlights some economic realities before talking about the location of one’s heart. Placing possessions and wealth ahead of God and neighbor is not a 21st century innovation. Yet Jesus’ words of encouragement and warning certainly still apply today. Elsewhere, Jesus is very blunt about all this: “No one can serve two masters . . . You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24) Jesus points us to a straightforward commitment to and investment in loving God and caring for our neighbors. “Giving alms,” which Jesus commends, is a crucial way we seek the common good.

I will never forget the day Sue and Paul walked into my office at one of the previous congregations I served. They were active members, eager leaders, and generous givers. That day, however, they shared that they had been doing daily devotions together. Through their Bible reading and prayer, they felt a deep sense of gratitude to God and a desire to make a significant change in their lives. Sue said, “Because we see how much God has entrusted to us, we want to double our giving to the church next year. It feels like a stretch to our budget, but we know God will provide.” Together, we decided that this would be a trial run for them, that if this decision proved to be difficult for their household finances, they could reduce their offering. But they never did. Their treasure was in their faith in Christ, their commitment to the congregation, and their love of others. To me, this was an inspiring example of how Scripture, prayer, and trust in God can shape faithful lives. Maybe the Holy Spirit is inviting you to consider taking a step similar to what Sue and Paul did many years ago. Are you willing to risk generosity? Or maybe the Holy Spirit is nudging you to reorganize some priorities and change some habits as a way to simplify your life and free you to place your treasure in more meaningful places. Whatever the case may be, Jesus is with you, both to encourage and challenge you to hold onto his words, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”