Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:49-50

Lord, You give me hope by Your words to me.
Your promises bring me comfort in my suffering and preserve my life.
Speak to me now, I pray. 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 6:22-24 

Today’s verses continue Jesus’ teaching about money and possessions. The principle found in them can most certainly be applied more broadly than only to our approach to money and possessions though.

In this reading, Jesus starts with a very metaphorical statement,

²² ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.

I believe Jesus is expounding a general principle here: What we focus on and aim for as our top priority in life will determine the entire trajectory of our lives. If what we place at the centre of our lives, and set our hearts and minds on, is something healthy and life-giving, our lives will be healthy and whole. But if we are focused on unhealthy priorities and aims, our lives will pay the price.

To express the same truth in three different ways: Our life goal matters. Our top priority matters. Our centre of attention matters!

Jesus is then absolutely clear that it is impossible to split our priorities and have two competing “centres of attention”. Applying this principle to the two competing “centres of attention” which He identifies as “God” and “Money” (i.e. the idol of material wealth) Jesus clearly states:

²⁴ ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.’

Jesus is commanding us to love God and pursue God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength … and with all our material wealth and possessions. Material wealth and possessions, i.e. “Money”, is either a competing god or a means for us to worship and serve the One True God. How we look at it and how we prioritise its use makes all the difference. Jesus is calling His disciples to have the top priority of loving God and pursuing His pleasure above all else … with everything at our disposal … including Money.

Contemplation

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

As a disciple of Jesus Christ: 

• I will focus on pleasing God as the central priority of my life.
• I will use my money as a means of pleasing God.
• I will earn, spend, save and give money in ways that bring Him pleasure.

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