The Teachings of Jesus in Luke: Treasure

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Luke 12:34 


“As he was about to climb yet another dune, his heart whispered, "Be aware of the place where you are brought to tears. That's where I am, and thats where your treasure is.” ~ Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist



What is it that moves you to tears of joy and rich emotional resonance?

This text is often used during stewardship season in churches, and I have heard talks on this text as if it said: Where your heart is, that's where your treasure is, so if you care about church, you'll give your resources to it.

Now don't get me wrong. I do think it is right that we give to the mission of God's church. However, though maybe it's just semantics, I read Jesus words here as something more than a call to give your treasure to the place you care about.

I see it as a call to what already is.

An acknowledgment that we are already giving our heart our treasures. We have things we love: family, friends, possessions, activities, cultural events...

And that our heart is with those things.

When something brings me to tears, as in Coelho's quote, I know that it is because I treasure it or them. When I am moved to emotional response, it is because I care for it or them.

Jesus is constantly talking about God's kingdom being present. Being now.

And maybe that means that God's kingdom is present because where God's treasure is, there God's heart is. 

So God's heart is with us.


Prayer: Thank you for treasuring me, Lord. Let me weep with joy to know that I am so loved. Amen

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