Wed Devotional

Daily Devotional 

from Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt:

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

Treasure: The place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up. A treasury. A storehouse. A casket, coffer, or other receptacle in which valuables are kept.


One of the things that each of us has to choose in life is what we will treasure most. No matter how much or how little we have, each of us has a treasure. Something or someone is going to be more important than anything or anyone else in our lives. Whatever that one thing or one person is – that is your treasure.

Just as a compass will always point north, your treasure will point to where your heart is also. This is evidenced by Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler in Mark 10:21 when He said, “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Why did Jesus give this response when asked about how to gain eternal life? Why didn’t He just tell the man to repent and believe? Did Jesus need the man’s money? Of course not. Was He asking the man to work for his salvation? By no means. So why did Jesus bring up this young man’s treasure?

I believe Jesus said this because He wanted to show the condition of the man’s heart. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Just follow the money?” Jesus was following the money. The young man told Jesus he had kept every law; but Jesus wanted to know the condition of his heart. Was he willing to give up his worldly treasure in exchange for a heavenly one? Was he willing to lose what is temporary in order to gain what is eternal? One of the most heartbreaking verses in all of Scripture tells how this man’s story ended. Mark 10:22 says, “At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

This is the story of so many people today. They are overflowing with the treasures of this world…beautiful houses, luxurious cars, Ivy League educations, powerful positions, and bank accounts full of money. Treasure, treasure, treasure. And yet in every way that truly matters they are broke. Destitute. Starving to death. God created us to be in relationship with Him. He created us to be worshipers of Him and Him alone. Any time we try to fill that longing with anything other than Him, we are going to be left wanting more. There is not enough wealth in the world to satisfy our souls. Only God can do that.

So, I ask you: What is your treasure? What do you value most? Is it of this world, or the next? Temporary or eternal? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus, You are the greatest treasure I could ever have. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins so that I can be forgiven and have new life. Show me where I am treasuring things that do not matter. Give me a heart for what will last. In Your name I pray, Amen.