One of the single most simple yet most profound statements in the entirety of the ministry of Jesus ca be found in one simple statement, "Where you heart is, there your treasure will be". It speaks to us over the intervening millenia, as if it were spoken a few minutes ago. It sounds as if it just came off the chapped lips of a bronze-skinned Galilean only scant seconds ago. The statement pierces me at the core of my being and reminds me that I am a creature of my choices, and the sum of my choices creates the sum of the treasure that is my life. It reminds me that where is choose to place my heart is where I choose to reap my reward.
I have heard a lot of pastors preach this statement as a form of judgement and condemnation on our culture and how the church opts to spend its time. Everything from Rock and Roll, to drugs, to promiscuity has been crammed into the context of this passage, and honestly, I have abhorred most of these sermons. Most of these repent or be sent trash sermons weren't even worth the time it took to organize them, much less be spoken or considered thoughtfully by the audience. The reason is simple, in the context of the passage, Jesus isn't speaking judgement. He isn't condemning anyone.
He isn't angry. I don't think the tone or pitch of his voice went up as he delivered these words. Jesus is just stating rather matter of factly that where your heart is allowed to reside there you will lay up your treasure. In short, the overall context is talking about which master you serve and the inability to serve two at the same time. It is reminding us that we can't live and dwell fully in the house of two seperate and distinct masters. We have to choose. And we have to live with that choice.
We must soberly and rationally select to bow down before the master we serve. We must place our heart there. And we must live from the residence of our heart. It is from this residence that we will live, thrive, and survive. We must choose wisely.
Thus endeth the rant...
I have heard a lot of pastors preach this statement as a form of judgement and condemnation on our culture and how the church opts to spend its time. Everything from Rock and Roll, to drugs, to promiscuity has been crammed into the context of this passage, and honestly, I have abhorred most of these sermons. Most of these repent or be sent trash sermons weren't even worth the time it took to organize them, much less be spoken or considered thoughtfully by the audience. The reason is simple, in the context of the passage, Jesus isn't speaking judgement. He isn't condemning anyone.
He isn't angry. I don't think the tone or pitch of his voice went up as he delivered these words. Jesus is just stating rather matter of factly that where your heart is allowed to reside there you will lay up your treasure. In short, the overall context is talking about which master you serve and the inability to serve two at the same time. It is reminding us that we can't live and dwell fully in the house of two seperate and distinct masters. We have to choose. And we have to live with that choice.
We must soberly and rationally select to bow down before the master we serve. We must place our heart there. And we must live from the residence of our heart. It is from this residence that we will live, thrive, and survive. We must choose wisely.
Thus endeth the rant...
RSS Feed
