Our Greatest Treasure

I know as Christians what we should value (treasure) the most is God – and, to be more specific, our relationship with him through his Son. But, does our life always reflect that?

Unfortunately, it hasn’t for me.

Throughout periods of my life, I have placed great amounts of value on things of the world such as getting good grades, making money, caring about what others think of me, etc., even to the point of making those things more important than my relationship with Jesus.

Now, please don’t get me wrong. In general, placing value on things is not necessarily a bad thing, as having values is a necessary part of our human experience. Our values help shape our motives, dreams, and goals. However, when we substitute the things of the world for God – our #1 treasure and our source of life –,there is a problem.

We treasure most what we believe will give us fulfillment. And this belief affects our faith in God. If what matters most to us is becoming financially free or our neighbour Cathy’s opinion of the car we drive, and not God and his will, then we will seek those things rather than the values and goals God wants to give us, because deep down, we don’t truly believe his will is the very best purpose for our lives.

So, the next time you find yourself exerting lot of effort to achieve something, take a few minutes and ask yourself what you are valuing the most right now.

Because if it’s not God, then no matter how much money you make or how many compliments your nice neighbour gives you, you’ll never be fully satisfied. But, if God is first in your heart, you will experience the fulfillment that you have been seeking and could never get elsewhere. As Philosopher Blaise Pascal once said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”

I’m sorry Cathy (my hypothetical neighbor). You’re a great person and all, but Jesus Christ is really the only one who can fill the God-shaped vacuum in my heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being the only being who can give me true fulfillment. I’m sorry for the times I have placed more value on things than on Jesus. Please remind me daily that only through your Son can I receive the wholeness that my heart seeks and needs. Continue to work in my heart through your Spirit to conform my desires to yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Throughout This Day: Ask God to show you if you have replaced him as your treasure with something else. If so, invite him to renew your love and commitment to him and to his will.