Treasure in This World
Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:19-34
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
—Matthew 6:21
When I was in high school, some college freshmen visited my school to promote their college. I don’t remember what they said, but I clearly remember that they seemed much older and wiser than I was. From my perspective as a 14-year-old, these college students seemed like they had it all. Looking back now, after a few decades down the road, and knowing what I was like as a college freshman, I no longer see great wisdom!
Often in life we think of something in the future as so incredibly important—and then when we arrive at it, we see it’s not as important or exciting as we had thought. Some examples might be an upcoming move, graduation from school, or a new job. Why does it so often seem that “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence”?
Jesus knows how the heart works. He knows that the heart can fixate on something, distorting its value and importance related to what we should really treasure.
The problem is that if we make anything in this world our treasure, something that defines our desires and identity, we will be left empty-handed in the end.
So what can we do? “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his right-eousness,” the only treasure that will fulfill us in this life—and in the life to come.
Lord, help me see the right way to live. Do not let the world tell me what is special, but let me learn it from your Word. May Jesus Christ be my treasure today. Amen.
About the author — Jason Zuidema
Jason Zuidema lives in Repentigny, Quebec, with his wife, Anna, and their three children. He is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary and currently serves as executive director of the North American Maritime Ministry Association. He is the author of a special Seafarers edition of Today devotions published by ReFrame Media in 2012.
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