Living a Life That Mattersنموونە

Day 3: Where’s Your Heart?

Treasures on earth are the things the world tells us to strive for. We can spend our entire lives in pursuit of these treasures, but the truth is, they never last. Everything fades over time, and one day, when we die, we’ll be separated from all of the things we spent so much time pursuing.

Treasures in heaven, on the other hand, are things that last. When we make the choice to follow Jesus and extend His love to the people around us, the world will feel that impact. And the effect of that love doesn’t fade—it will be felt through generations, and something we’ll be able to celebrate in full in heaven.

But how can we know whether we’re pursuing treasures in heaven, or treasures on earth? Sometimes, that answer isn’t always obvious. People can volunteer with a non-profit because they have a heart for caring for others … or because it will look good on their résumé. Or they can give a generous offering to their church because they’re passionate about the work the church is doing in their community … or because it will be great for their tax returns. Often, we can even find ourselves in the middle of those two extremes—feeling both the desire to share the love of Jesus and the hope that we might receive attention for the good we’re doing at the same time.

When you’re unsure of what treasure you’re pursuing, Matthew 6:21 can help. It says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

If you want to know whether your treasure is in heaven or on earth, start by asking, “Where’s my heart? When it comes down to it, what am I most passionate about?”

Go ahead and ask yourself those questions.

Once you’ve settled on your answer, consider:

• In what ways are your passions about your own interests and striving after more?
• In what ways are your passions about sharing the love and care of Jesus with others? How are you building a sense of legacy and contributing to the betterment of other people?

Rest assured, no one on earth perfectly pursues treasure in heaven all the time. We’re all led off track by some sort of treasure on earth. That’s part of being an in-process follower of Jesus. But as you work to prioritize sharing the love of Jesus through your unique gifts and talents and building a legacy that will impact generations to come, you’ll find your heart more and more aligned with the heart of Jesus.

Consider the following questions as you reflect and pray.

Reflection: What are some practical steps you could take to incline your heart away from treasures on earth and more toward lasting treasures in heaven?

Prayer: Father, thank You for caring about me and the state of my heart. More and more each day, would You help me care about the things You care about? Make my heart more like Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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