"TREASURE" (MATTHEW 6:21...Another Look)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Where do you invest your money? Do you place it in stocks, bonds, savings accounts, checking accounts, a retirement account or all of the above? When you spend your money, what do you spend it on? Are your spending habits on little nick-nacks here-and-there or are they big purchase items spread out over time or both? Where is your wealth? Where is your "treasure"? 

In Matthew 6:21, the original word used for "treasure" is thēsauros (thay-sow-ros') meaning a deposit; wealth. The explanation for this word went on to make the difference between first fruits or tithe and the rest of a person's holdings. This word means the latter - everything after the tithe.

The Holy Spirit tells Paul to instruct Timothy through 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to "command those who are rich". What does he command them? "Command them to do good" with their monies. Here is what that part of his letter to Timothy says,

• "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 

God's currency is Love and His transport system is Giving. The Spirit in which we Give counts also. Who wants to receive from someone who is playing tug-of-war with a supposed gift? I personally feel like saying, "Keep it if blessing me causes you that much pain." God desires "cheerful givers" (2 Cor. 9:7), not only for faithful tithers, but as we serve each other, as we help each other, as we give to each other, as we love one another.

Wealth not only means riches, but what one simply has the most of. Standing at the fulcrum of our verse - show me what you are wealthy in on one side and on the other side - that will show me your heart. The word Heart comes from the original word Kardia meaning thoughts, feelings, and middle. So, your wealth, whatever that consists of, x-rays your very core for me.

Where is your wealth? Is it in the things you possess like your houses or cars? Can it be found in the amount of friends you have? Is it in your family relationships? Is it in the talent(s) you have? Yes we need money in this world system to get by for the time being, but God's Kingdom Currency works here also. I believe He wants us to start, if you have not already, accruing Kingdom Wealth by doing good, being rich in good deeds and generously and willingly sharing. The rest of the verse says - In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." Believers are preparing themselves for a lifestyle and at the same time displaying their hearts like an open book through their "Treasure".