Day 13: February 9

MATTHEW 6: 19-34

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS
vs. 21 “Show me your treasure, and I’ll show you where your heart is.” Vs 24 “You can’t serve both God and wealth.”

Vs. 26-27 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Vs.33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

OBSERVATIONS:
Jesus instructs us to “store up heavenly treasures” rather than "earthly treasures” because the former have no lasting value whereas the later do.

People’s treasures reveal the desires of their heart. If you want to know what is most important to you, just need to look at what you have worked to achieve or accumulate with your resources.

A person can’t be committed to doing God’s will and chase after wealth simultaneously.
Jesus tells us that worry is foolish and unnecessary. It is foolish because it doesn’t change the future. (vs 27)
 
It is unnecessary. God knows what we need (vs.32), is able to provide for all his creation (vs 26-30), and loves us more than the rest of his creation (vs 26, 30) because he is not only our creator but our Father.

QUESTION: I don’t understand Jesus’ comments in vs 22-23 about the healthy eye and unhealthy eye. I am going to have to research this more when I have time.

APPLICATION:
God will take care of me since he is my creator (he is able to) and my Father (he loves me!).
The growth of God’s kingdom is of ultimate value.

The devil tries to switch the price tags. He wants to deceive me into thinking that those things which have little or no value have immense value and the things which possess immense value have little or no value. If I listen to him, I will squander my resources and waste my life.
 
If I renew my mind on Jesus’ words and listen to the Holy Spirit I will discern what is most valuable in life (The Kingdom of God and righteousness) and life a live a truly productive life!
If serving God is my #1 priority than I won’t be consumed with acquiring this world’s goods.
 
“Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” – unknown

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Missionary Jim Elliot
 
I don’t have to worry because I serve a God who is all powerful and loves me as his child. When I find myself worrying I need to recognize that I am believing one or more of these lies: I am either believing that God doesn’t know my needs, isn’t able to meet my needs, or doesn’t care about my needs. The truth is he KNOWS, he CARES and he CAN!!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, Help me take an honest look at my treasures so that I might correctly identify where my heart is. Keep me from loving all that is in the world so I don’t consume my resources on things that bring me pleasure, possessions, pride. Help me to live with your kingdom values. Please remind me every time I begin to worry of the truth that you KNOW, you CARE and you CAN!!