For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure. Matthew 6:20 (TPT)
Your Treasure – Treasures Series – Part 7
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
How often do we get stuck on valuing others and making assumptions about them by their outward appearances? Or getting tricked into thinking that the more we have, the safer we are, and the better off we’ll be? Which starts a destructive race against others that benefits not a single soul? I know I do all the time, and I have to keep bringing myself back to the place where ‘value’ finds its origin; the heart of God.
Last year I came across a duo of writers called ‘The Minimalists.’ They write beautifully and challengingly around consumerism and value; living meaningful lives with less stuff. You can check them out at theminimalists.com. They also have a great podcast! They say:
“Happiness, as far as we’re concerned, is achieved through living a meaningful life: a life filled with passion and freedom in which we grow as individuals and contribute beyond ourselves. Growth and contribution: those are the bedrocks of happiness. Not stuff.”
Sounds familiar…
“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.” (Matt 6:19-21 TPT).
We're facing incredible challenges as a global community. Even within our own countries, its strikingly evident here in Australia, competition and “us-versus-them,” who’s good and who's bad and who deserves help and who doesn’t, is rife. Social Media has been bloodied with violent words of hatred and separation. The more we try and take back what's rightfully ours from someone else, the more blood will be shed, the more lives will be lost, the more treasured souls will fall by the wayside.
Politically, I don’t know what the answer is, but I think that we’ll begin to see a change when we start to GIVE rather than TAKE. When we let generosity and hope lead us, rather than fear and wealth accumulation. When we start to be driven by love and peace, instead of money and prestige. When we can look our enemy in the eye and see that they are beloved of God just as we are, and forgiveness, not revenge, is the way forward… maybe then we’ll begin to see heaven on earth. Where its supposed to be.
What are you pursuing?
At the end of the answer, you’ll find your treasure. Is it worth the pursuit?
Your turn! Leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.
[vcex_image_grid columns=”3″ pagination=”false” thumbnail_link=”custom_link” link_title_tag=”true” custom_links_target=”_blank” overlay_style=”title-category-visible” columns_gap=”5″ img_hover_style=”fade-out” image_ids=”20934,20935,20937″ custom_links=”https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1239768002?pt=118656308&ct=blog%20footer&mt=8,https://www.pktfuel.com/dailyemail,https://www.pktfuel.com/support” img_height=”350″]