There Your Treasure Will Be
Written by Dawn Okrasinski
When I was a little girl, before Mission Sunday, we would receive a prefabricated piece of cardboard that I would carefully fold into a little box with a slot at the top. Each day I would add more pennies or spare change my Dad gave me to the pile inside. My mother would ask me to forgo the ice cream truck, and then we would add that to the box as well. On Mission Sunday, I would walk up to the altar and place my box with the hundreds of other little boxes for a blessing. At that moment, my six-year-old self felt connected to a larger purpose and community. More importantly, I felt connected to Jesus. The word "sacrificial" had meaning and giving felt good.
Later, as I studied the Gospels and Paul's letters, I learned that how we give reflects our heart's motive. God sees this and rewards with a different kind of supply. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul talks about how the Macedonians, despite great poverty and affliction, gave with an abundance of joy abounding in the riches of their "Liberality”. The Hebrew word was "Haplotes," meaning glad and gracious giving. The ability to bless others with their offering blessed them doubly, removing the pain and suffering of having less and offering the opportunity to serve Christ.
Our culture promotes self-esteem and identity through what we have, creating bondage not easily noticed among the clutter of possessions we strive to build. The fear of missing out or not measuring up instills an urgency that can be likened to teeth gnashing. We work harder. We do more. The world says we are what we wear, do, and have. Jesus teaches us the opposite. When counseling the rich young ruler who asked what he lacked as a follower, Jesus said to him, "If you want to be complete, go, sell what you have and give to the poor; and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matt: 19:21 (CEB) This amazing blessing would not be realized by this man, however; because he could not let go of who he was as a wealthy man. The word "complete" stands out for me in this scripture. It implies we are enough in Christ. Our completeness manifests itself in direct proportion to how we live as Christians.
In the early nineties, my husband and I experienced a dark time. We lost everything: land, a new house, financial security. During that season, I would run my checking account down to pennies. Yet, we prayed and asked. God always provided whenever we were in need through the generosity of others. I wanted to give back. Feeling of belonging and purpose comforted me as I taught, volunteered, or served after service. The more I gave of myself, the less I felt the sting of poverty or the self-centeredness of fear. As I focused less on loss and more on what I could do for others, the realization that I possessed "gifts" began to mold who I would become as a daughter of God and how to respond to his call. I became a teacher of the Gospels. I was a mentor for teens committing to God. I was a mother modeling faith during adversity. Purpose replaced anxiety. What motivated me changed during this time, and with it, my identity came from the heart. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is there, your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21 (NKJV)
Reflect and Pray
Matthew 6:24 (CEB) No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Acts: 4:32-34 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them…
Call to Action
1. Has instant gratification ever led to purchasing more, leading to giving less? What was the deeper need being filled? How could prayer and purpose lead to completeness?
2. What are treasures you can lay up in heaven? How would this change your identity in Christ?
3. Pray for the release of financial worry reflecting on Matthew 6:25.
4. Practice "Haplotes", glad and gracious giving. God asks you to test him on this in faith.
