Our priority is to seek the kingdom over earthly possessions, replacing worry with trust in God’s provision.
I thought I was a relaxed hostess until I began hosting playdates with toddlers, a fun time where order and clean surfaces go to die! I tell myself that my belongings don’t matter, but when it comes down to it, the chaos of a group of three-year-olds can feel like a personal threat to my home and self-preservation.
As I read today’s Scripture from Matthew, I paused and asked myself, What does it mean to store up “treasures in heaven”? What is Jesus actually asking me to do? The Scripture seems to focus less on actual possessions and more on the posture of the heart (see Matthew 19:16–22). Anything that stands in the way of us fully following and trusting in God is an area of our hearts we ought to examine. Matthew writes:
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves don’t break in and steal.
For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:20–21).
What is “treasure” in heaven, from a kingdom perspective? It’s living for God’s glory and the good of others (Hebrews 6:10). Because God provides for His people and “delights to give [us] the kingdom,” we are free to pursue the good of other people, to focus on relationship with our Heavenly Father and those He has surrounded us with (Luke 12:32). No thief can steal love that has been freely given (v.33).
My heart’s posture toward loving and serving others in my home takes an ugly turn when I begin to focus on my possessions, my appearance, and my control. Perhaps it’s a simple example, but it’s very real to me. When I become angry, bitter, and frustrated with my son for making a mess, I know it’s my comfort and my possessions that I’m actually concerned about. When adults are invited into my home and feel welcome enough to casually move furniture around without asking, my heart reveals its desire to control and maintain order. The sin in my heart gets in the way of hospitality, of pursuing the good of others. I want to offer a space where people feel comfortable and loved. When I’m too consumed by the outside mess, how can I possibly minister to the mess we all bring with us?
So, yes, even little people in my sphere of influence (the home) need to know the patience and gentle instruction of God. Friends need to see the generosity of Jesus when we serve them in our home. I should worry less about shoes on the couch when our family is rich in relationships. God knows what we need to get through this physical, day-to-day world. He provides the necessary things for us, so we can focus on making the kingdom of God very real to the people here on earth. Couches fade and, believe it or not, you can get diet soda out of your rug with just hot water (and silent prayer). But ultimately, being present with people and sharing Jesus’s love with them are the kind of treasures I want to store up.
Oh, Rebecca… I am so much like Martha too. ( I want to be more like Mary.) A good book (by Joanna Weaver) is “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”. I need to re-read that! And young moms… the days may be long, but the years are short. My boys are 25 & 27 now… where did the time go?
Today is “my” Grace day ( It’s Sunday Mother’s Day). On Friday there was so much was going on in my head and I was disappointed that I couldn’t focus on the devotion. How fitting to read this today on Mother’s Day. I remember those wonderful beautiful days, “hosting“ play days in my home. My friend Gretchen and I started a play group back when our boys were babies. They are now 20 years old. We all took turns hosting. How I long to go back to those days. I miss my babies, being babies. And I’m thankful that my children have a second mom. Till this day my friend Gretchen and I are still very close and so are our boys and so are our girls. Happy Mother’s Day to all you are reading this today.
I copied the Psalm above.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
play the lyre to our God,x
8 who covers the sky with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
and causes grass to grow on the hills.y
9 He provides the animals with their food,
and the young ravens what they cry for.z
10 He is not impressed by the strength of a horse;
he does not value the power of a warrior.E,aa
11 The Lord values those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his faithful love.ab
This one Psalm speaks of how amazing God is! He is not impressed with the horse’s strength or has to value a warrior. He is Sovereign! He brings rain, and He makes the fields grow! He provides for the animals! He gives the young ravens what they cry for! How precious and tender!! Of course, I know these things, but this is absolutely amazing when I sit and am actually taking His power and provision in! Have a great day all! May we be amazed, grateful, praising, and humbled as we see Him in the day!
Sherry- Thank you for speaking these words. I can so relate. My daughters home, bursting with chaos and clutter can feel overwhelming when I visit too. I too, want to “clean it up”. I think this is helping when what I really need to do is just be and love on and enjoy those sweet babies God placed into my life! So convicted with this today!
Praying for this D! I went through a similar experience 4 years ago, feeling some similar unsettledness in my heart about my work situation. It’s been a fun rollercoaster since and God has been very faithful and done things I could never have foreseen or even imagined! Pray boldly in this season; what he opens no one can close, what he closes no one can open! Will be praying over this situation for you!
Thank you for remembering me & for the prayers. Please continue them. I took a screen shot of the verses from Psalm 69:29-33 from one of the days this week because they really spoke to me. God delights in our Thanksgiving esp.when it comes from a raw heart. Also…I know try to numb my pain with buying “all the things.” Today’s reading definitely challenged that. Related to possessions: We are hosting guests this weekend and I have a MIL whose definitely the Martha type and I am not. I KNOW that my cluttery, casual house with its dog hair and chaos drives her crazy. I also know she loves me/my family… but I get so stressed when she visits. Help me Lord to remember what matters and what doesn’t.
Jane K – I would love to “attend” your daughters party in the form of sending her a card and gift (I would need name and address) so that I could congratulate her and encourage her and help her special day to be a grand remembrance. Perhaps you could open this idea to the SRT ladies so that even though a physical presence is not what you may expect but an outpouring of cards and prayers from this community may fill her day with love from us. Blessings on you and may God bless you with peace.
WOW!! This devotional. A wholeeee new twist. I was thinking of this strictly in terms of buying more and more stuff. This totally puts it in perspective. Our treasure could be in order, organization, tidiness, etc. woahhhh, what a good perspective check.