Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:47-48

Lord, I delight in discovering and meditating on Your commands. I love them because they show me how to love You. Help me to search for your commands faithfully, to understand them well, and to obey them wholeheartedly. Amen.

Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your awareness of the voice of God, coming to you through His Word.

Reading

Matthew 6:19-21 

By contrast to those who are not following Jesus, His disciples are called to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, rather than on earth. Jesus reasons that earthly treasure is subject to decay and has no ultimate value, while heavenly treasure is of eternal worth.

Scripture in general is clear that money and possessions in themselves are not the issue. The problem is loving and pursuing them more than we love the Lord. As 1 Timothy 6:10 declares: “(T)he love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

When we work honestly to earn earthly money and possessions so that we can apply them to the aims of serving the Lord and pursuing the growth of His Kingdom, this is good and pleasing to Him. In essence, this is what it means to “store up treasure in heaven”. It means to love the Lord so much that we see our earthly wealth as a wonderful means of expressing love to the Lord. When we have this attitude, we will be sure to both spend and give in ways pleasing to God.

Practically, this can be done through:

• Ensuring that our loved ones are properly cared for (1 Timothy 5:8);
• Being very careful about getting into debt and managing one’s debt wisely (Proverbs 22:7 and Romans 13:8)
• Generously giving to the extension of God’s Kingdom through our local Church Family (1 Corinthians 16:2);
• Being generous to those in need (Proverbs 19:17)
• Financially supporting those who engage in mission work (3 John 1:8).

Our material possessions will not pass from this life to the next; but the good that has been done for the kingdom of God through the use of our treasures lasts for eternity, and the work God does in us through faithful giving will also last for eternity. On top of it all, our love for the Lord will increase more and more as we increasingly use our possessions to express our love to Him. Says Jesus, “²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (v.21)

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn these declarations over in your mind. Keep it in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ: 

• I will use my possessions and wealth to express my love to the Lord.
• I will spend and give in ways that bring Him pleasure.

Lord, I long for You. Please help me to bring You pleasure through the ways I use my earthly wealth. Amen.