Treasure Reveals Heart (Mt. 6:21)

Read Matthew 6:21.

Treasure reveals heart, not vice versa.  Where is your treasure?  Here are some questions to help you evaluate.

• What does your checkbook say?  Are you tithing on income and increase or are you studying to form well-sounding theological loopholes? (Making loopholes is a characteristic of a Pharisaical spirit.)
• What do you value?  Who or what do you talk about more than anything else?  That is who or what you will sacrifice for.  You sacrifice for that which you treasure.
• Do you spend more money on Christmas than you give to God during the year?
• Do you spend more money on vacation than you give to God during the year?
• Do you spend more money on your pets in a year than you give to missions or benevolence?
• Do you dread the offering or battle internally when it is announced?  If so, why?  What are you afraid of?
• Do you find more joy at the golf course than you do in church?  

Treasure And Heart (Lu. 12:34)

The location and placement of your treasure reveals the condition of your heart.  People say angrily, "You don't know my heart!"  What a cleverly disguised smokescreen for not giving generously! Well, yes, I can "know" your heart.  All I would have to do is get you to be honest with me about where your money is going.  Your checkbook tells on your heart.  It is noteworthy that Jesus mentioned treasure first and not heart.

How Then Can We Survive? (Lu. 12:22-34)

Having just warned people to be rich toward God (Lu. 12:21), Jesus knew people's concern would be, "How then can we survive if we pursue God more and store up less treasure for ourselves?"  Thus, Luke 12:22-34.

This same concern distracts hearts today.  If you ever wondered, as a pastor, why offerings fluctuate so dramatically week to week, insecurity and fear are two (of many) reasons.