SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be (Matthew 6:21). Whatever I love the most, that is my ‘god’. Whatever I put first in my life, that is what I worship. Whatever I set my heart on, that is my treasure. Jesus is cutting deep with these words, showing that my actions reveal the true me. Am I a religious show off? Then I am not really being spiritual. Am I running after treasures on earth? Then I am not really treasuring God first. Am I stressing about little things? Then I am not really trusting God.
Jesus does not go easy on us. He makes it clear that the only thing He is really concerned about is the state and direction of the heart, the inner me, the real me. God is not impressed by my religious performance. God could care less whether I am rich or successful. God is not focussed on taking care of all our needs and wants. He wants us to surrender to Him, to orient our lives around Him, to put Him at the center.
If God is not the center, we will crash. Like a bicycle tire whose hub is off center, we will not be able to bike fast or long, we will eventually wobble and crash. Jesus urges us to put God first, to put God at the center of our daily life. Religion is an add on, something people attach to their otherwise self-centered lives. Jesus exposes this way of life.
Where is my heart? What (or who) is the center of my life? I will be miserable as long as anything but God is the center. All else will disappoint me. My ‘stuff’ will lose its shine, my relationships will let me down, my hopes and dreams will not be fulfilled. A world, and a life, without God at the center, will unravel.
Putting God at the center does not automatically fix everything (though neither does putting other stuff at the center). But it does position us well, with a good foundation and a good direction. We’re on the right path, with the right help, the right center.
Feel free to keep on trying to establish life without God at the center. But its guaranteed to fail. And Jesus keeps standing on the side-lines, reminding us to put God at the center. And when we finally crash, He will come to us and say again… ‘let’s try it My way! Let’s seek God first!’
PRAYER:
Lord, I need Your help putting God first. Please help me.
LORD, forgive me for the times when I have sought the apporoval of others (knowingly or unknowingly). It is only Your approval that matters! Protect us from losing sight of why we do what we are called to do.
LORD, I pray that my prayer life is always authentic – a lifestyle with You NOT a perfomance. LORD, thank You that You have made it so that we can always come to You in prayer.
With all that’s going on in the world around us, I confess that it’s hard at times not to worry and be anxious especially about finances and the future of our children in this time of economic concern. Protect us LORD from satan’s attempts to distract and derail us. Help us not to listen to his lies and deceiptful whispers. Help me keep my focus on You!
LORD, it is You that I want to consume my thoughts! Fill my heart with love and devotion to You! Fill my mind with Your Truth, that You are indeed the great provider, the protector of our lives, the One who meets my every need and takes care of my every concern. I want to live for You! The greatest think in all my life is knowing, loving and serving You! Knowing You, there is no greater joy. You’re my all, You’re the best, You’re my joy, my righteousness – I love You, LORD! Nothing compares to the promise I have in You! Thank You LORD God….
Fear God. Keep His commands, for this the duty of man tells the preacher (Ecc). All what I do and say must please God. The melody of the song, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, keeps playing in my mind as I read this passage. I do what I need to do because the Bible tells me so. I do what I do because it is the Lord God Who I am serving. I do what I do because Today God Is First!
But this living for Jesus comes with its struggles. What do I do with all the needy people around me? I help one at a time. I make a difference in a person’s life one at a time. I need to be a God pleaser and not a man pleaser. It is what is on the inside that counts. Yet what is on the inside also comes to expression on the outside. As the Lord’s prayer tells me, all what I have is His since He gives me my daily bread. He is my Provider and will continue to help me along the Way because He has given me His Encourager in all I do and say.
Where have I seen Jesus? He has taught me about the treasures in my life. Where will I see Jesus this day? I have started the day with Him and pray that He will continue to guard and guide me in the most excellent way on this day He has made. Lead me, Guide me.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
Man shall not live by bread alone
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God
Hallelu, Hallelujah!
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you
Hallelu, Hallelujah!