Where Your Treasure Is…
Look at 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” We should look at the local church as our own body. We should consider that just as we personally have needs, the local church has needs. And just as we must take care of the responsibilities of our natural homes, if we are part of a local church, we must consider the responsibilities of that church home. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” If we are to assemble together, we must have a place to assemble. Psalms 133:1 says, “good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” If we are to dwell together, we must have a place to dwell.
Matthew 6:21 reminds us of a very important truth, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This word treasure means your wealth, or even your storehouse. We see this idea of a storehouse also mentioned in Malachi 3:10 (ESV),
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” This scripture tells us an important truth, if we don’t fulfill our responsibility, there won’t be food in the storehouse. If we fulfill our responsibilities, the storehouse will be supplied for. This is referring to the local church. God expects that each member of the body does its share. God expects us to bring our full tithe, the first 10th of all of our increase to the local church, the storehouse. He expects this because this is the way the church will be sustained and supplied for. He set it up this way and we can look to natural illustrations such as that of our own homes, that operate just the same. Look at the next half of Malachi 3:10, “And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Our needs are fulfilled when we all do our share and put God first.
No one of us would consider it wrong or too inconvenient to provide for our own homes. We wouldn’t be angry if we got a bill in the mail to heat our houses or to have internet, but instead would just chalk it up to a normal responsibility of being a mature adult. We can’t get mad at God because He expects us not to be delinquent with our responsibilities within the body of Christ and our local bodies respectively. Sadly, too many Christians look at the local church as only the pastor’s job or the staff’s job to maintain. This is a sign of spiritual immaturity. This is child or teenager mentality that never considers where the substances of the home comes from. Mature adults know better. Mature Christians must know better. If we want a home we must contribute to it. If we want to stay warm, we must pay the heating bill. If we want a local church, we must be willing and obedient with the Word of God.
Matthew 6:24 (ESV), “No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.” The enemy knows this scripture better than most Christians and, because of this truth, has made it taboo to discuss things like responsibility and money for fear of offending people. Remember Proverbs 4:20-23, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” These scriptures remind us that our health and safety is in keeping the words of the Lord and that it’s going to take diligence to guard the right heart about these truths in scripture.
It’s time Christians change their perspective. As we separate “our” money from the will of God, we enter the realm of serving that money instead of serving our Lord. Can you see how dangerous this is? Not only will the local church suffer, but our walk with the Lord will suffer as we enter enemy territory. Our health and well-being are attached to our obedience and keeping the right heart.
When we do things God’s way no one suffers, no one goes without. When we put our full trust in the Lord whether it be in the financial arena or otherwise, He can move on our behalf and supply us with all we need and more. Remember this: Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”
Be Blessed,
Pastor Re
