The Treasure of the Heart
The human heart is one of the most important parts of the human being. It is the place where all emotions, thoughts and feelings reside. As Christians, we are called to take care of our heart, because the issues of life proceed from it (Proverbs 4:23). However, we often let the worries and anxieties of the world into our hearts, robbing us of the peace and joy that God wants for us.
Jesus spoke about the heart in Matthew 6:21 , saying, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In this Bible study, we’re going to explore the meaning of this verse and discover how we can keep our hearts in tune with God’s will.
What is the Treasure of the Heart?
The word “treasure” makes us think of something valuable and precious. In biblical terms, treasure is something that has eternal value. What Jesus is saying in Matthew 6:21 is that what we consider valuable in our lives directly affects our heart. If our treasures are material things, our hearts will be attached to them. If our treasures are spiritual things, our hearts will be bound up with them.
The Treasure of the World
The world offers us many treasures. Money, power, status and comfort are some of the treasures that many people seek. However, Jesus warned us about the danger of pinning our hopes on these temporal treasures. In Matthew 6:19-20 , He says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
This does not mean that we should abandon everything and live in poverty. Rather, it means that we must have an eternal perspective and value those things that have lasting value. This includes things like relationships, service to God, and love for others. When we value these things, our hearts will be in tune with God’s heart.
The Spiritual Treasure
When we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, we are placing our treasures in the spiritual realm. In Matthew 13:44-46 , Jesus tells two parables that illustrate the value of spiritual treasure: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy of it he goes, sells all that he has, and buys that field. Furthermore, the kingdom of heaven is like a man, a merchant, seeking fine pearls; And finding a pearl of great price, he went, sold all that he had, and bought it.”
When our hearts are set on spiritual treasure, we are seeking the things that really matter to God. Love, kindness, mercy, justice and humility are some of the treasures that God values. When we value these things, our hearts align with God’s heart, and this helps us live full and meaningful lives.
Caring for the Treasure of the Heart
Now that we understand what the heart’s treasure is, it’s important to learn how to take care of it. Taking care of our heart starts with our mind and thoughts. In Philippians 4:8 , Paul writes, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.”
If we want to take good care of our hearts, we need to be selective about what we allow into our minds. We should seek to fill our minds with positive and true things that help us keep our focus on God and eternal things.
Another way to care for the treasure of the heart is through prayer and meditation on the Word of God. In Psalm 119:11 , the psalmist writes, “ Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you .” When we strive to understand and apply God’s Word in our lives, we are tending to the treasure of the heart and becoming more like Christ.
Finally, we must be vigilant about the things that distract us from the treasure of the heart. The world is full of distractions and temptations that can keep us away from God. We must be aware of and avoid the things that cause us to go the wrong way.
Conclusion
The treasure of the heart is a matter of choice. We can choose to pin our hopes on temporal treasures that will not last, or we can choose to pursue the things that have eternal value. When we choose to seek spiritual treasure, our hearts will be in tune with God’s will and we will experience the true peace and joy that can only be found in Him.
By caring for the treasure of the heart, choosing our thoughts, meditating on God’s Word, and avoiding the distractions of the world, we will be strengthening our relationship with God and building a treasure that will last forever. May God help us to keep our hearts turned to Him and to take good care of the treasure He has entrusted to us.
