Where is your treasure?

A couple of weeks ago Jim picked the fruit from our trees, filling several laundry baskets full. Knowing it was more than we could eat, I decided to get out the squeeze machine. The outsides of the oranges were tough and blemished and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if they would juice well. But what do I know? Their outward appearance had no bearing, and the juice was sweeter than last year’s.

Which brings me to this; on the outside, we may not look so good at times. Maybe we have a few extra blemishes, or our weight is not where it used to be. Maybe the dark circles under our eyes reveal the stress we’ve been under, or the extra strands of grey the worries we’ve been carrying. Sometimes life is just not easy which brings out the worst in us and around us. Relationships suffer, marriages fail, jobs are lost, foreclosures happen and we don’t understand it all. But, even when the future seems dim, Christ remains. In our darkest hour He is our strength.

“I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” Phil 4:13 NIV

What’s going on in your life right now? How are you faring today’s storms? Is your heart focused, on your problems or the problem solver? Where is your life treasure? Do you live for your finances, or your family? Are material things more important to you, or is your faith on top of the list? What do you hold dear to your heart, what concerns you?

In Matthew Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21 NIV

I have more than my share on my plate these days. While plenty of fruits, veggies, grace my plate, there’s also one too many Twinkies, and way too much chocolate. In moderation, it’s all ok, but too much, is trouble waiting to happen.

In a different perspective, how many good things fill our schedules and how many not so good? Do we have an excess of shopping trips and luncheons, and not enough Bible reading and studies? Do we spend overtime at the office and little time with our family?

Life can be so busy with meetings and football games; work and social events, even church can rob us of precious time, that often we forget what’s most important. While all are well and good, each task has an affect on our relationships. Too many, can rob us leaving less time to spend with our children or significant other. As Christians, the more we spend doing busy things, the less quiet time we have with God. Excess activities, just like eating too many Twinkies and chocolate bars, is trouble waiting to happen.

If you haven’t seen the movie “FireProof” I encourage you to buy it, rent it, and watch it. It is truly an eye opener. With Valentine’s Day at hand, it’d make a nice gift, along with a box of Twinkies and a big bag of chocolate covered raisins, of course (once in a while is ok). These, along with a cuddle on the couch, would make a great Valentine evening. Who needs diamonds?

Think about it. Where is your treasure? Is it in your special someone, or in your money? Is it in your children or in your job? Is your treasure in the One who died for you, or in your golf game? Is it in that box of Twinkies or in the Bread of Life?