“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21)
Expanded Passage: Matthew 6:19-21
What makes you feel accomplished? One youth leader questioned his young people at the start of what seemed like another ordinary youth meeting. The students listed accomplishments like straight As, financial freedom, spending quality time with loved ones, or winning multiple championships. The answers kept coming as he spurred on his fiery audience. These answers gave him a keen understanding of what this group treasured. In the movie Divine Influencer a young woman becomes homeless after her parents cut her off financially. She takes a job at a homeless shelter and learns what is most valuable in this life.
Jesus concluded this portion of teaching by saying your heart is sold out to what you treasure, the center of your affection. This doesn’t mean that a student should not strive for all As, or an athlete should not work hard to be the best at their sport. God wants us to be good stewards of all he has given us, even our finances and family. But we must never forget we have what we have only because of God’s mercy and provision. God wants to be the center of our affection. He wants our hearts to be passionate about what brings him glory. When we see closeness to him and bringing him glory as our accomplishments, he becomes our treasure, and we will pursue him with a pure and holy passion.
Set your affections on Christ, the only eternal treasure.
Iona Halliday-Simmonds is a wife, mother, and member of The Wesleyan Church who finds great pleasure in serving in community outreach and youth and family ministries.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
