Money Leads - Hearts Follow (Part 2)

By telling us that our hearts follow our treasure, Jesus is saying, “Show me your checkbook, your VISA and American Express statements, and your receipts, and I’ll show you where your heart is.”

The Gospel of Mark tells a story of the widow’s offering. In the story, Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Why did he do this? Why was Jesus’ watchful eye on the people’s giving habits? Because Jesus knew that money, more than anything else reveals our hearts’ motives and affections.

Jesus commended the widow’s offering over the large amounts of the rich people because she put in everything—all she had to live on. The rich just gave out of their wealth. In other words, their hearts were not wholly devoted to eternal treasures. Their motives might have been a selfish attempt to feel good about their life, or a vain attempt to buy favor with God. Whatever the case, Jesus was not impressed or pleased (Mark 12:41-44).

God wants your heart. He isn’t looking just for “donors” for His kingdom, those who stand outside the cause and dispassionately consider acts of philanthropy. He’s looking for disciples immersed in the causes they give to. He wants people so filled with a vision for eternity that they wouldn’t dream of not investing their money, time, and prayers where they will matter most.

Of course, giving isn’t the only good thing we can do with money. We need to feed, clothe, house, and transport our families. But when the basics are taken care of, why shouldn’t the rest go toward treasures in heaven?

Moses left Egypt’s treasures “because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26). The person who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures. To that person, death is loss. The person who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; that person is moving daily toward their treasures. To that person, death is gain. The one who spends their life moving away from their treasures has reason to despair. The one who spends their life moving toward their treasures has reason to rejoice.

Are you despairing or rejoicing?