Every day we make decisions based upon what we have decided is important to us. Every day the people around us can see the evidence of the things that mean to most to us in the things we do, the things we talk about, how we spend our time, and many other things that reveal the reality of our priorities. Our checkbook, debit and charge receipts, and things we spend money on declare the truth about our priorities. These statements are not just some over reactive preacher’s opinions, they are actually what Jesus declares in His Word.
Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
And Colossians 3:1-3 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” And I Peter 4:2 “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” And II Corinthians 5:15 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” We as individuals communicate to our friends, neighbors, family, children, grandchildren, and others the things that matter to us. Each one of us decide for ourselves and those in our care how we are going to spend our time, our energy, and our money. Those decisions communicate what matters to us and what our priorities are. There are seven days in a week for us all, twenty-four hours in each day for us all, and we all have money that come into our hands to use for our expenses. We say that God is important to us, but what does the evidence prove? We say our faith is a high priority, but do the facts back that up? Others are watching now, our children are being influenced by our decisions each day, and in eternity we will be accountable to God for our true priorities as well. Something we need to be attentive to.