Treasures of the Heart

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NIV) What the hearts beats is the direction of one’s life. Just look at someone who falls madly in love, how all of their breathing moments is spent on sighing and looking forward to seeing their special someone. There is a sense of excitement in every task done and anticipation of an upcoming meeting. It is a great feeling. All of us had it. They are like treasures of gold and diamonds that no one could steal away. Love is one of those treasures that keep any man or woman going. It is love that inspires and motivates anyone to pursue a task even with great sacrifices on their part; to make a person smile and provide comfort during a difficult situation is truly an evidence of love at work.

What we keep in our heart is what defines us today, tomorrow and into eternity. We are measured by them for by it we are inspired to achieve our dreams and goals. But anything done without love is stressful. That is what causes our physical heart to fail and our body to experience fatigue. Actually, doing any given task whether small or huge done with love causes anyone to do anything cheerfully and with extraordinary joy. This is what many of our Overseas Filipino workers have. They have sacrificed leaving their family to provide better life in another country because of love. Family is their treasure to be taken care of. That is why we have to evaluate what is in our heart that we treasure. We need to check what we consider as our treasure(s). I believe that when we do, our priorities will be renewed over again.

Let me illustrate with this story I came across, “Knowing he would die soon, a rich man had all his assets converted into gold bars, put them in a big bag on his bed, draped his body over the bag of gold, and breathed his last. When he woke up, he was at the gate of Heaven. Saint Peter met him at the gate and with a concerned look on his face said, "Well, I see you actually managed to get here with something from earth! But unfortunately, you can't bring that in." "Oh please, sir," said the man. "I must have it. It means everything to me." "Sorry, my friend," said Saint Peter. "If you want to keep that bag, then I'm afraid you'll have to go to, you know, the other place. You don't want to go there, believe me." "Well, I won't part with this bag." "Have it your way," returned Peter. "But before you go, would you mind if I looked in the bag to see what it is that you're willing to trade eternal life for?" "Sure," said the man. "You'll see. I could never part with this." Saint Peter looked in the bag and with a puzzled look on his face said to the man, "You're willing to go to hell for... pavement?"

What a funny story, yet it speaks truth. Remember that the greatest treasure to keep that will only last forever is our relationship with God. It must stand the test of time and any difficult circumstances. This should be the only motivation in all our endeavors: to please God. When we do, everything else follows.

What's coming between you and God? Your money? Your possessions? Your status? Your friends? Your fun? You may be sure that none of it can compare with what God has prepared for you as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (NIV). To sum it all up: loving God and loving others fulfills the greatest commandment of the Scriptures. This must be the treasures of our heart and everything else will follow.

One last thing, if you must know what God treasures in his heart since the creation of the world and up to the present time even to eternity, it is simply stated in John 3:16a, “For God so loved the world…”

Let’s talk again!