March 6, 2019
For full passage click: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 …“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” vs. 21
Today is the first day of Lent, the 40 day liturgical season set aside for reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus. It’s a time for special worship services and maybe even some experimentation with spiritual disciplines. Some of us will be thinking about discipleship and what it really means to take up the cross and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus told his disciples that there were two big choices in life: they could either pile up treasure on earth or they could store up treasure in heaven. Their decision would determine the placement of their hearts. We still struggle with that issue. It’s so easy to get caught up in accumulation! Most of us have so much stuff we don’t even have room to store it so we buy bigger houses. And it’s all so pointless! But how do we store up treasure in heaven? Jesus mentions three things: giving alms, prayer, and fasting. Each of these is a spiritual discipline that will bring enormous benefit. Jesus says God will reward us. The first is obvious, giving to provide for the poor. Prayer is more difficult. Jesus has in mind special private time with God, meditation perhaps. For some fasting, giving something up, can sharpen our focus on God’s blessings. Lent gives us a chance to test the truth of Jesus’ words and maybe get our treasure in the right place!
Thought for the Day: How can I know where my treasure is?
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