Matt. 6.21 (NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12.34 (NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
These two verses from the Gospels are thought provoking to say the least. While saying the same thing they emphasize the nature of investment: interest and value. To say we love something or someone and not give to it or them is simply not true. We are simply lying to ourselves and to the one we are speaking of.
Consider the man who says he loves his wife and kids yet he rarely invests in them. He spends his discretionary income and time on himself. He spends on his toys, his boat, his clubs, his guns, his car, etc. while ignoring the desires or needs of his wife and children. No matter what he says with his mouth, his heart is saying something else for where the heart is so is his investment.
Time and money are the two principle ways we communicate value. If we say we love God and don’t invest time in relating and seeking Him then are we really very interested. If we say we love Him and don’t give to Him then do we really care about what He cares about?
The truth is if we aren’t investing in the spouse and kids, and if we aren’t investing in the Kingdom of God then where are we investing and what has our interest. We all are investing ‘somewhere’. That ‘somewhere’ is where our hearts are. Is it in our work, responsibilities, reputations, hobbies and interest? Is it in pursuing recognition, esteem and success? You see, your heart is where you invest.
One of the best ways to develop genuine interest in someone or something is to commit time and money (our treasure) to them/it. Doing so begins to develop an interest in them/it because we have invested a piece of us. Our hearts follow our investment.
What are you investing in? Is it temporal or eternal? What do you need to do for your investments to reflect your heart felt values. Do your values need adjusting? Is it time to repent and do something different?
I know these are sobering questions. But lets not deceive our selves. It is time we, the follower of Christ, put our time and money where our mouth is.
What do you think? Click here to comment.
Pastor Greg
This is a timely post for me because the Lord has been dealing with me about quality time with my family, especially my wife. I do spend quite a bit of time in service to the kingdom and for that I am truly thankful for the opportunity but I have been somewhat convicted by the Spirit about giving my wife more of my time and attention (and money!). So I made a bold move. I purchased season tickets for us to attend the ECU football games together. I generally go without her. I have to admit this is a little selfish when you consider that she doesn't really like football. The funny thing is that when I told her, she replied with a big "Wow!" I thought to myself that maybe she was coming around but the truth is she just wanted to do something with me. Didn't matter what it was just as long as we were together. This is an investment for me that I am truly going to enjoy the returns from!
Posted by: Eddie | August 21, 2008 at 06:55 PM
An amazing word!! I have always had the heart to invest in the Lord and in His kindgom but had not done that until recently.
The Lord speaks to me through journaling and told me I was not going to know Him more intimately until I made the sacrifice to spend time with Him each and everday!!!!
I was one of those who used to say: "Yes, I love the Lord" but that didn't reflect in my actions.
I want my time and money to be invested in the Kingdom of God!! Thanks for this word Pastor Greg. It really made me think about my priorities in life and what really is important!!
Posted by: Sarah Echel | August 23, 2008 at 04:25 PM
It's an awesome feeling of fulfillment when you know that you know that you have given yourself totally to the Creator of heaven and earth. When we have that epiphany of all epiphanies and realize that The Lord truly is our shepherd. He not only tends to us, he cares for us and loves us no matter what. It's at that point that investing in Kingdom matters becomes easy. We seek to know this amazing God more intimately and to invest our time in Him, with Him, and with brothers and sisters who are seeking Him also.
Unlike traditional financial investments that we make with the expectation of a return of greater value than our original investment, when we invest in God and His Kingdom, we should probably do so knowing the dividend was paid over 2000 years ago. When He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross we were paid handsomely and any grace, mercy or blessing we receive a long life's journey is icing on the cake.
Lord I pray that you give us all the wisdom to discern where to invest our time. Teach us all how to balance the relationships in our lives and give us the wisdom to know the value of our time.
Posted by: Jay LaCock | August 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM