Readings for today: Luke 12, 13:1-30
What do you treasure most in life? Is it your spouse? Your children? Your grandchildren? Is it professional success? The admiration and esteem of your peers? Is it influence and recognition? Is it wealth and the lifestyle it affords? Is it a particular possession? A set of exciting and unique experiences? Whatever it is, whatever we treasure, we will do anything to gain it. We will make every sacrifice. We will put in maximum effort. We will do whatever it takes. And Jesus knows this about us. He knows this is how we are wired. And it’s why He calls us to store up our treasure in heaven. For where are treasure is, there our hearts will be also. (Luke 12:34 CSB)
Our treasures are not necessarily bad things. In fact, most of the time, they are good things. The problem comes when we make them ultimate things. When this happens, the good things we treasure are forced to carry a weight they are not strong enough to bear. For example, if you treasure your spouse as the ultimate good, you will be bitterly disappointed when they let you down. If you treasure your kids as the ultimate good, they will be crushed under the weight of your unrealistic expectations. If you treasure professional success as the ultimate good, what happens when you peak out in your career? If you treasure influence and recognition, what happens when your fifteen minutes of fame are up? If you treasure wealth, what happens when the stock market crashes or an investment fails? None of these things is strong enough to provide the freedom and security and hope we need.
This is why Jesus tells His followers to seek first the Kingdom of God. He knows it is the Father’s delight to give His children all they need. And because God has promised to provide, we are set free. Set free to give generously. Set free to serve sacrificially. Set free to offer all that we have for the good of those around us. Because we know our treasure is heaven. Our treasure is eternally secure. Our treasure is not of this world and therefore not subject to the threats of this world. It cannot be stolen. It will not decay. It cannot be destroyed. Listen again to how Jesus describes it, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock, Because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:31-34 CSB)
There is no greater freedom in this world than living by faith. No greater joy in this world than serving Jesus. No greater mission in this world than advancing the Kingdom of God. How do I know this to be true? I look to Jesus. Jesus was the most free person to ever live. Jesus was the most joyful person to ever live. Jesus was the most impactful person to ever live. All because He sought His Father’s Kingdom. He trusted His Father’s good pleasure. He understood the inexhaustible treasure stored up for Him in heaven if He would simply do His Father’s will here on earth. And I want to be like Jesus. I want to live like Jesus. I want to love like Jesus. I want to serve like Jesus.
Readings for tomorrow: Luke 14-15