Time is Money

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21

We all value something. These are things our minds focus on. Things we put a lot of time and energy into, whether in thought or in action. Whatever meaning they have to us, these things have a lot of worth to us. And whatever we value, it has an affect on our lives. In a non-idolatrous way, I value music and sports. Throughout the day, if I'm not listening to music, I have some going through my head. During football or basketball season, I can't go a week without watching it and I keep up with it throughout the week. I love these things, but at the same time I would definitely prefer to go to see Alicia Keys live rather than just listen to her album or watch Kobe Bryant in person rather than on TV. I'm sure that whatever we value, we would exchange it for something even more valuable.

In Matthew 6, Jesus talks about how we should store our treasures in Heaven rather than on earth. The earth and the things on it will eventually fade away, but Heaven is eternal. The greatest treasure is having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing in this world can compare to knowing God! As much as we may love our families or friends, Jesus says that we cannot follow Him if we don't hate them (Luke 14:16). Not in the sense that we should really hate them, but we should hate everything else in comparison to how we value Christ. He is of infinite worth so, of course, everything else is worthless in comparison. Even Paul says, "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8). A good indicator to see how much we value something is looking at how much time we spend with it. The value we put in things other than God can become dangerous, as we can sometimes put them before God. "No one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). As much as I have music or sports on my minds, I try to set my main focus on God. Aside from the time I spend doing what I have to do, I try to devote the majority of my time to God. Yes, there are times when I don't but that's my goal. Also, the more time we spend with something, the stronger our relationship with that becomes. In our relationships with people, growth doesn't come from knowing more about them. It comes from spending more time with them and getting to know them. It's the same with God. We should be investing more of our focus and time in Him because there is no greater treasure. We should "set [our] minds on things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5). Even going to church or a youth group, maybe even both, every week is not enough. That's only a few hours out of a much longer week. Spend time with Him and seek Him outside of that. You'll notice a difference. Pray, talk with Him throughout the day, dig into His Word. Just devote more to Him. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Don't pass up on this treasure. He's worth it. And more.


"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise..." - 1 Chronicles 16:25

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