Day 17

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Each one of us has treasures. As young children, our treasures may have been a special toy, stuffed animal, or blanket. As adults, we continue to have treasures. But now they may be a bank account, a car, or a house.

Jesus teaches that we can store treasures either on earth or in heaven. Earth's treasures pass away. On earth, "moth and rust consume" and "thieves break in and steal" (Matt. 6:19). Or we could say earth is where stock markets crash, computer files corrupt, and accidents damage.

Heaven's treasures, on the other hand, are eternal. We invest in heavenly treasures when we invest in God's work in the lives of others and in the care of all created things.

Daily Practice

As a sign of your intention to invest in treasures of heaven, make today a no-shopping day. Instead, spend the time that you would have spent in shops doing something special for someone else. Be thoughtful and intentional about serving others.