The Heart Of The Issue

From: Bayless Conley Ministries

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

How do you lay up treasures in heaven? Giving to help people, giving to the poor, giving to ministry, giving to God's work, giving to God—that is the way you lay treasure up in heaven.

Notice that Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The heart of the issue is the heart. That is the theme of Jesus' teaching. A right heart attitude—a proper heart motive—is what God cares about most.  That is true whether you are giving, you are praying, or you are fasting.  He wants you to do these things for the right reasons.

Those right reasons include your desire to help people. Your desire to express your love for God and His Kingdom. Those are the right reasons. Jesus said, when you are motivated by the right reasons, you are laying up treasure in heaven.