²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
If we separate certain Scriptures from the rest of God’s Word, they could be interpreted as saying that having money or wealth is wrong. However, there are other Scriptures that speak of riches as a blessing. What we learn from these two apparently opposite positions is that money is neither good nor bad. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. (1 Tim. 6:10.) You can love money if you are rich or poor. Many people have committed the sin of loving money and they didn’t even have a dime!
The love of things (covetousness) is idolatry, and this is what Jesus is addressing. Because it is so easy to lust after money and the things it can provide, God established a system whereby prosperity is a byproduct of putting God first. As Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” We should no more reject the blessing of prosperity than we should covet it. Our treasure is Jesus, and as we love Him and serve Him only, all the material wealth we need will come to us.
The strength of a laser is that all the light is concentrated on one single point. Likewise, your strength as a Christian depends on how concentrated you are upon Jesus. You may know Him and also possess riches, but you can only serve one of them. You do not have the ability to faithfully serve both, and you will rely on one more than the other. Only one can have all of your heart and devotion.
The reason for not laying up treasures on this earth is so your heart will not draw away from Jesus and all He has for you. Today He is your treasure.
