"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but ... treasures in heaven." Matthew 6:19-20
What is your reason for getting up in the morning? What motivates you? What are your values?
I once heard a memorable illustration about value systems. The speaker suggested that we take some boxes and write a word on each one to describe what we value in life. We could use words like family, finances, success, sports, pleasure, God, and so on. Then we could use the boxes to build a pyramid, placing the most important value at the top. If the box at the top of the pyramid wasn't the one with God written on it, we'd have a messed-up value system.
Then the speaker said, "All that we do flows from God and toward God. God and faith need to permeate every aspect of our lives."
Jesus makes clear that our value system is shaped by the deepest desires of our heart. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is first of all a matter of the heart.
As citizens of the kingdom of God, we cannot have divided loyalties or a divided heart. It comes down to a choice between two masters: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." We cannot be devoted to the kingdom of light if we are devoted to the kingdom of darkness.
Help us, Lord, to look closely at our value system and what motivates us. Help us to make the right choices in life, focusing on you in all we think, say, and do. Amen.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!