I shared this with the congregation of the church a few weeks ago and felt it was appropriate for our readers at home as well.

Matthew 6: 19-24 reads:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

A few thoughts came to mind when reading this passage that gave me reason to pause and assess my own outlook on life and see where my heart is and what my priorities are.

There are three parts to this brief passage of scripture. Verses 19-20 address where we “invest.” Do we invest our time, money, talents and energy into the future kingdom of heaven, or do we invest these things unwisely?

Do we place our hope in earthly things or in heavenly things? Do we place our faith in earthly things or heavenly things? Where are we placing our time, money, talents and energy?

Verse 21 states where we place these valuable commodities is where we will find our hearts. Meaning quite simply, that your heart is in what you value. Show me what you value and I will show you where your heart is. Where our attention goes, our energy flows.

The second piece deals with how we view things. Verses 22-23 encourage us to have a “healthy eye” or good eye. This references how we see things. Do we view the world through the lens of God or do we see things as the world sees them? Are we seeing things as God would see them or is our vision foggy and unable to recognize what God places value on and in?

In the third piece found in verse 24 challenges us to determine who our master is. It reminds us that we cannot serve two masters. Maybe the conclusion that can be drawn or what we may take away from this passage of scripture when assessing what is important to us could look as follows:

“Where I store my treasures (what I value) reveals where my heart is. What I treasure or value is determined by how I see things. Who my master is determines how I see things. Show me where your treasures are and I’ll show you who your master is.”

Barry Vassar is the pastor at Fitzgerald Memorial Baptist Church. His email address is fitzgeraldmemorial@gmail.com.