Read: Matthew 6:19–21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 

This brief text is often used to guilt people into giving money to the church. It is used as a way of saying, “If you really care, if you really love Jesus, if your heart were in the right place, you would be more generous in your giving.” There is no question that Jesus cared about money. He preached and taught about it often. However, Jesus’ interest in money had to do with his understanding that our love for money can get in the way of love of God and neighbor. Therefore, Jesus was always encouraging his followers to have a healthy relationship with money—use it, don’t love it.

In this scripture, if you look closely at it, you will not find an admonition for greater generosity but a strategic way of investing ourselves so that we are prompted to engage in more meaningful pursuits and relationships. While it is tempting to interpret this passage of scripture as meaning that what you fund is what you care about, the ordering of the passage does not support that emphasis. This memorable text suggests that if you want your heart to be in a new place, invest your resources in that location. Place your treasure where you want your heart to wind up. When thoughtfully considered, your checkbook can help to facilitate a set of new and better priorities in your life—because your heart has a way of following your treasure!

Where do you want your heart to be?

Lord, where do You want me to invest myself in the future? Let me know. Encourage me to take a leap of faith and pour my resources in the direction You want me to go. In Jesusname, I pray. AMEN.